Rosie Wore Her Spaghetti Dinner Like a Little Golden Beard
A few long strands of spaghetti dangle from the mouth of a glossy red-gold Retriever, forming a golden beard on her chest. Her warm brown eyes are bright and a little bashful. A plate lies tipped on the wooden floor with noodles and sauce around it, and shoes and a basket sit in the background. Dinner has certainly been eaten, just not at the table.
Retrievers are friendly, food-loving dogs with soft mouths, bred to carry game gently, and that makes them very good at picking up noodles. They are eager and affectionate and respond well to treats and praise. Plain pasta is generally fine for dogs in small amounts, but sauces often have onions, garlic and salt, which can harm dogs, so check what was in the dish. If she ate a lot, call your vet.
Teaching a solid leave it cue is helpful, and so is eating at the table while she rests on a mat. A slow-feeder bowl turns mealtime into a game and keeps her from gulping.
She seems to be savoring the last noodle before anyone arrives. If she had a name, it would probably be Rosie, and Rosie has no regrets. Retrievers are famous for their soft mouths, so not one noodle was dropped on the way. She is very good at her job, even if the job was not assigned.
