A Bone-nanza Christmas

There is one member of the family that really loves Christmas – The Dog.

Although he is fast approaching 16 years of age The Dog still enjoys the crazy days of Christmas when a tree moves into the living room and wrapped presents slowly congregate beneath it. He loves the many people that come over on Christmas Eve, and the gargantuan selection of foods that he may be able to sample (if there’s any left). But most of all The Dog loves Christmas Day.

Until 11 months ago we had a second dog. The Stupid One was not as impressed with the festivities, though he wholly agreed that Christmas Day was the best.

Why…?

Presents!

(The animals don’t always get ‘presents’, they are animals and their toys are very different and better cared for than my own, however they will always get some sort of treat).

The following is an example of a traditional Christmas morning ritual: family gathers in living room, I sit on the floor by the tree and hand out presents, The Dog sits in my lap as much as he can with unconstrained excitement excitement over a possible present. (When The Stupid One was alive he would try to attack any present that passed him by as he realised opening them was now allowed).

“Is that one for me?!”

“No.”

“Is that one for me?”

“Can you get out of my lap, Dog.”

“But is it mine?”

“No, go away.”

“Is that one mine…?”

“I thought I told you to get out of my lap.”

Eventually, The Dog would get his present and carefully break it open – he is by no means an aggressive dog. If a present had not been prepared, the alternative would be a few treats and a forgotten toy quickly shoved in some discarded wrapping paper – it still counts as a present to The Dog.

As soon as the present opening ritual ends The Dog finds a place to lie amongst the discarded paper for a well deserved nap.
Christmas Day is just too exciting for a little dog.