Dear Curtis,

--------We're dogs right? We're known for eating everything we can, even stuff we're not supposed to eat, right? So, why, oh why, do we always get scolded for licking the dishes as they're being put in the dishwasher? Curtis, if they're gonna get cleaned anyway, what's the big "no" all about?

--------Confused,
--------Emmett and Gibson

Dear E&G,

--------I’m confused too! One of the occupations we’re qualified for is “Dishwasher Extraordinaire” and some of us are bred to respond to the sound of a dishwasher door being opened by running into the kitchen, poking our heads into the machine’s lower recesses and lapping the dishes. Your humans don’t know how good they have it, especially when there are two of you!

x--------It’s certainly not because our saliva is unsanitary, and, besides, the dishes are dirty, for Canus’ sake! Maybe they have young children whom they’re afraid might adopt your dishwashing behavior. Personally, I feel it’s never too early for humans to get their children to help around the house so what’s the problem?

--------You know, until they prevent you from getting to the open dishwasher, go for it. Just remember – stay away from things with sharp serrated edges! Ouch!!!

--------Curtis the Dog