Waiting for...

Peanut butter!

Sometimes I'll sit down for a snack of peanut butter and crackers. They love peanut butter, and they know the sound of the jar being opened as well as the sound of the top of the cracker container coming off.

I've always made it a rule to never feed dogs from the table, but I also contend that they are capable of making distinctions and I therefore make an exception for peanut butter and crackers. They're very good about remembering that the exception is for that one treat only.

They come and sit and wait for their share. Just as when divvying left-overs like steak trimmings, I say their name and then extend the treat. That way the other one doesn't grab for it -- Emma would be the culprit there! -- but patiently waits her turn. I guess the trick is always to be fair: "Mags!" is always followed by "Emma!" and thus order is established and maintained. Just as with other divvied treats, they count. It would be unthinkable to give Emma three and Mags only two. Indignant complaints would be registered.

When we're through with our snack, I extend both hands, fingers spread and palms toward them, while waggling my fingers I say "All-ee, all-ee!" and they go back to what they were doing before the siren-call of peanut butter drew them into the kitchen. Snack over.

There's always the next time.