A Chocolate Puppy Rested Her Chin on the Mattress and Just Waited

Chin resting on the edge of the mattress and front paws dangling, a chocolate puppy gazes up with sideways eyes. Her curls are tousled, her ears hang in soft waves, and a tiny white patch shows near her chest. Behind her, a gray blanket is draped across an unmade bed, a plant sits by the window, and the room is bright with morning light.

Puppies love to rest their chins on things, and it is often a sign that they want attention. For a Havanese, closeness to people is part of the breed's nature. They were bred as companions, and many follow their family from room to room. That makes them wonderful company, although it also means they may need gentle practice at being alone.

Beds can be high for small dogs, and jumping down repeatedly can be hard on young joints. A low pet step, or simply lifting her up and down, helps protect her. It also helps to give her a bed of her own near yours, so she learns where she can rest even when the big bed is off limits.

This puppy is not asking for much, only a glance and maybe a pat. Her patient face does most of the work, and the bed is just tall enough to make the whole thing feel like a very polite request.