A dead tree, normally fair game for marking, is dragged into the living
room. Ornaments resembling dainty dog toys are sprinkled over the
branches but you can't mark or mouth anything! The people are fiercely
protective of this oddity. It is even strung with warning lights. The
doggies huddle and discuss the matter. The oldest explains this seasonal
madness to the youngster. "The people have gone mad - it will pass. Give
it three weeks."
Soon, tons of food begin to fill the house - none of it
for dogs! Next, huge overstuffed bags and boxes appear and are crammed
into closets with no ceremony at all. The dogs have seen squirrels hoard
in this way, but they are worried. When your people begin to act like
squirrels no good can come of it.
Then strange objects appear - candles, odd dolls with pointed hats and
beards. Worst of all, everything sports a ribbon around its neck. The
dogs suspect that doggies will be the next thing festooned. .. The bags
are hauled from the closets and everything is covered with inedible
paper and, yes, more ribbon. Then the whole mess is arranged under the
tree corpse and the dogs are warned that any urine will be sternly dealt
with. One of the socks hung on the wall begins to smell like dog toys
and pricey dog treats.
Trussed up in nasty holiday sweaters with bows chafing at their necks
and pride, the dogs huddle once again. "There is more," the elder says.
"Children come." (Our home is normally a "child-free" zone - safe for
other living things.)
Sure enough, human puppies spill out of cars to
tear open all the packages the dogs were forbidden to touch. Then they
turn their attention toward the dogs.
The old dog braces for the
assault. The pup tries to make a break and finds that children, puppies
that they are, love a moving target. Finally everyone eats and the pup
discovers what the elder dog has known for over a decade. Sit by the
kids, they drop food. Plus, in a pinch, you can take food from them
quite easily. They're always running around with something they don't
really need clutched in their tiny, dog level, hands. A sip of punch, a
cookie, a cracker, some cheese, teething biscuits, milk from a baby
bottle, a candy cane - it's a doggie bonanza for a clever thief.
Sometimes they'll even give you stuff. All in all, it's worth the
overzealous hugs and minor atrocities.
Eventually, the children, the presents, and (alas) the food, have all
gone away. The dogs eye that fat sock on the wall - the one with all the
tantalizing smells. Sure enough, their people begin dividing up the
treats: a bone, a ball, peanut butter dog biscuits, toys with the
squeakers intact, stuffed animals not yet disemboweled. The madness has
brought some joy after all! In an hour exhausted dogs will settle on the
couch to watch movies even they have seen before. As the dogs finally
pass out, their people begin gently picking bits of candy cane from
their fur. The earth is spinning slowly again.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!
Created By Mary from Long Island
