It’s the holidays and we are all insanely busy and who doesn’t want some extra help in the kitchen?

Does that mean it is cool to let the dog pre-rinse your dishes?

Well…..

After scouring the web, I didn’t find any advice against having the dog lick off the plates before they go into the dishwasher. And I found plenty of testimonials of people who do it. And I know from personal experience (not naming any names, Jenie) of friends who do it.

Dr. Charles Gerba, germ expert extraordinaire at the University of Arizona, says dogs’ mouths are filled with germs but not necessarily bad germs.

And God knows, the dogs are certainly willing to do their part to lick the plates clean.

It may be a good idea to make sure whatever food scraps are left over are OK for the dog to slurp down: no onions, garlic, grapes or raisins or chocolate,

But what about your guests? How would they feel seeing the dog lick the plate, realizing they may get that same plate when they swing by the next day for T-day leftovers?

Well……

It may mean you have fewer guests for dinner next year but the guests who are there really like dogs.

Happy Thanksgiving!