A Newfoundland Rested Her Chin Beside the Cocoa and Made a Polite Request

Her chin rests on the edge of a wooden coffee table, and a big black Newfoundland gazes at the camera with soft, dark eyes. Right next to her sits a white mug of cocoa piled with marshmallows, and a folded cream knit blanket peeks into the corner of the scene. Behind her is a cozy living room with a gray sofa, a plaid blanket, and a small Christmas tree with gift boxes.

Cocoa is one of those holiday treats that must stay away from dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs cannot process well, and it can be harmful, especially in large amounts or in dark chocolate. Marshmallows are mostly sugar, and some sweeteners such as xylitol are toxic to dogs. If a dog drinks cocoa, call your vet or an animal poison hotline. Newfoundlands are large, gentle, and fond of company, and a big dog can reach a coffee table easily, so keep drinks away from the edge. A safe chew or a snack made for dogs is a better treat.

This sweet face seems to be asking a polite question. She does not grab or sneak. She just rests there, hopeful, and lets her eyes do the talking. It is the oldest trick in the dog handbook, and it works on almost everyone, even when the answer has to be no.