Thanksgiving isn’t here yet but I can feel it is coming. It
is just like a train down the tracks a ways, long before you see it, there is a
sense it is coming closer with slight movement of the ground, and the sound of
the rumbling on the wheels. You are close to the crossroads and can feel familiarity
in your bones that the train is close before you see it. That is exactly what is happening here. See, it is not Thanksgiving that has me in a
dizzy, no way, l love turkey, it is what comes afterwards!
See, the problem here is, not enough people take into
account what the holidays look like to a dog.
And yes, I have dictated to my owners what I feel needs to be said. This holiday stuff is really quite stressful
to us four legged BFF’s of yours and you need to face facts and reward us for
putting up with this holiday upheaval in our lives.
Who came up with the bright idea of putting something that
belongs outside in the yard inside the house?
First, need I mention, from day
one, my life in my home began by learning the difference between what is
permissible indoors and outdoors. How
ironic that my dad tells me all the time peeing on a tree is a good thing. Now all the sudden, because he gets lazy and
decides to bring the tree in the house, he now changes the rules on me!
Oh yea, one other thing, if I bring stuff inside from the yard, like a tree branch, God forbid, I get yelled at and reprimanded. What a set of
double-standards we have going on here. The dog owner brings the whole tree in and not a word do I say. How many of you won’t let your dog
bring in branches but bring in a doggone tree?
Seriously, think about the irony and what kind of mixed message you are sending to your pet.
Why put the tree in a prominent place in our house, hello! I am a guard dog, at least when I want to be, I am. The location my owners choose is right in the living room, the largest floor space but directly infront of the front window. This is so wrong, on the most basic level. That tree that is a thorn in my side, clearly blocks my view out the front yard. I have no idea how I am supposed to do my job as diligently
and greet everyone walking up and down the street with my friendly barking and
my gorgeous studly face pressed up against the window pane. Oh, how lordy, does Mom have a cow when I sneak behind it and about knock the tree over with my 115 lbs of muscle!
My next observation is all those ridiculous things dangling
on the tree. Colored balls, get out of here. What good is a ball you can’t play with? And all the other silly knick knack Dad says we have too many of, the little
Santas, figurines, colored lights, quite honestly, it all stresses me out. I am
not sure why this tree seems to get more attention then me. I sometimes feel it is getting watered more
than I as well. If it didn’t hurt so bad to go up under it, I would drink from that
center bucket Dad keeps dumping water in every night.
The beginning of December, box after box comes out and that
is when I retreat to my man cave. I am still waiting for Mom to clear her
clothes out of there and her shoes. Some women just have no respect for
males. I love her but she still needs
work.
Anyways, this is a blues day for me. I think it is for Dad too because he moans
and complains a lot. Occasionally I hear
some nasty words come out and this time, they aren’t aimed at me but those darn
things coming out of the boxes. I never understand why he doesn’t take a manly
stand and just say “No more, no more junk is getting put up.”
Well for hours, things around our house are put away,
replaced by all this holiday stuff making our home look like a holiday themed
home. It does have its good points,
true, but it is reminder to me that I am in for a long stay at the kennel over
Christmas. I love the kennel but I miss my folks and I miss my home just being
the usual way, uncomplicated.
One year I was so upset about the decorating process, I ran
away. Dad was so busy going out in the garage I snuck out when the door was
open. They never let me out in the yard on my own because they then have to
spend an hour hunting me down because I never come back. I am just that way,
call me curious and adventurous.
Well, this time I did feel bad, it being the holidays and
all. I couldn’t ruin Christmas for them. So I came back to the garage door.
They were so busy decorating they never even opened the door! I finally went around to the front door and
after about a half hour; Mom opened the door and found me sitting there. I
wonder if they even noticed I was gone.
But I will admit they sure loved on me a lot when she let me in.
And please, for the love of God, do not put those dorky
collars on me. They have two
I can’t mention those guys that wear the same clothes every
day, some uniform that
I do love when the grandkids come over because they seem to
be so excited around the holidays. Plus there are always more yummy treats
around. Those kids are just the right height for me too. They are so use to me that they are not
frightened and will share. Their parents
taught them that, I am to be respected and treated as a friend. I don’t think
their folks know how good they really are about sharing. I think some things parents should be kept in the dark about.
The one thing that drives me nuts is the Christmas Train Mom
insisted one year she just had to have.
She told Dad it was something she always wanted as a kid. I wanted to tell her, it is too late, you aren't a kid lady, but I God loves her and I do too. So Dad went and bought her one.
Jake, one of the
grandchildren, loves that train as much as her and when he comes over, anything he wants Mom and Dad will do. I lost
count a long time ago how many times he screams train repetitively. And then here we go again, with the noise, the music, the tooting, the yelling. But I do have to say it is cute to hear his excitement. Each time it goes around to Jake, he reacts so excited as if he didn't expect it to reappear! If he had
his way, that train would play over and over again the entire time he was here. Grandma would make his bed there under the tree by the train, feed him his meals by the train and put a toilet out there or let him pee in the bucket to water it. It would serve that darn tree right. I would really get mad then. If they won't let me pee on the tree, Jake shouldn't be allowed to!
Anyways, eventually he gets told the battery is running low. I really don't think this is fibbing. My now I am long gone, hiding somewhere as far from the living room as possible. I have learned to put my head under pillows to stifle sound. Amen for this feat because when the Christmas train comes in town, it is needed. I don't want on board!
I guess I have been pretty harsh on the holidays and left
off a few good things. I wouldn't want you to think I have no spirit. I do have a sock
hanging with my name on it over the fireplace.
Weird though, when I try to pull it down, I am not allowed to play with
it but that’s okay. Eventually, when I
do get it, it is filled with doggie treats and that is very cool!
Mom and Dad spend more time sitting in that
room this time of year gazing at that tree and petting me and that feels homey
and reminds me how I am loved. It also makes me glad I am part of such a good
family while I am here on earth.
Our home is filled with wonderful music during this time of year
too. I do like that except when Mom
starts singing. Don’t tell her I said this but her voice, well let’s just
say, it needs work. I don’t howl as long
as the radio is on and she is singing with it.
I wish I could tell her don’t sing Acapulco, it hurts my ears something
awful.
But the best part of the season is that I can always feel the love and caring between Mom
and Dad and that always make me feel warm inside and kinda fuzzy too. Yes, during the season this year, never forget your pet in the hustle and bustle. We are family too.
So, in closing:
It is not easy being a dog,
When the holidays draw near,
Because all the hubba,
Brings out my fear.
But I always know,
When Christmas arrives,
That the love in my family,
Is something that will never die.
