Run, Run, Rudolf!

I got two of the best Christmas presents ever! Dad got to come home after his surgery AND I caught Rudolf the Reindeer!  Well, Dad found him somewhere and Mom said I could have him but they told me I could pretend I caught a deer. I sort chewed his red nose off and then tore out his brains but Mom said it was alright. 

Aunt Doll was here when the stuffing started to come out. She played along with me. It was a lot of fun until Mom said Rudolf was officially "dead" and put him in the trash.

I'm really glad Dad is home. Mom and I missed him. Sure, I got to sleep on his side of the bed and I didn't have to move, but that was only really fun the first night. I don't like it when our pack isn't together. I gave him the cold shoulder at first so he'd know it was not okay he was gone but Mom reminded me it wasn't his fault. So I made up with him. 

Dad slept in his chair last night but at least he was here in the house with us. He has to wear this nasty looking hard plastic collar until his neck heals. It's a lot of extra work for Mom. She has to change the dressings on his incision and help him get dressed. I think she'll have to give him a bath the way she gives me a bath - climb in with him. I don't think she's going to like that. Mom and Dad never shower together. Mom likes to have the bathroom to herself. I think I'll watch because it should be interesting. 

Mom told me Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is just a few nights away. I remember New Year's Eve. People around here go crazy. They shoot shotguns and blow car horns and just make a lot of noise. People can be strange. 

But maybe the best part is Mom is going to bake a ham on New Year's Eve. I love ham! What a way to close out the year! I bet we'll have something with ham in it on New Year's Day, too. Mom's frugal that way. 

Just in case I don't have time to blog again this year, have a happy and safe New Year's. When you go out, remember some of your pack members are home waiting on you. They need you so don't be stupid, okay?  Be the whole pack in 2019. That's the best way. 

It's New Year's Eve and I'm quivering already!

Today is something called New Year's Eve. I remember last year when this happened. It was really difficult to get a good night's sleep. People around here went crazy! Shooting shotguns and firecrackers and blowing car horns. 

It was bad enough Mom and Dad stayed up so late. I'm used to being in bed with Mom around ten o'clock for her reading time. This staying up past midnight makes me yawn. It sounds like it's going to happen again tonight.

But there's really good news, too! I saw Mom put two steaks in the fridge. I love steak! I love steak almost as much as giblets! I get steak four times a year! 

All I need to do is cozy up to the dining room table between Mom and Dad, sit like the good dog I am, and wait for the steak! And if I sit up and be "handsome," I'll get even more. Mom calls me a beggar when I do that but I think she secretly likes it because it always makes her laugh. 

And then tomorrow we're having pork! 

I love New Year's! I'm quivering already! 

I just hope I don't start to drool before the food is on the table. 

What's the fuss about New Year's Eve?

New Year's Eve sure is noisy around here! It's really difficult for a growing boy - me - to get in his beauty sleep. All day, Mom and Dad were talking about the neighbors and their guns and now I know why. 

First off, I'm not sure what the fuss is about New Year's. A day is a day is a day. Except when Mom is home all day. Then it's sorta special. I like my people to be with me. 

So I can watch them. Like a hawk. Their every twitch. I count how many times they walk by the Grillers treats jar and don't give me one. Anyway...

Mom stayed up late to "watch the ball drop." Hey! I love, love, love balls! I KNOW balls. This one was a big dud. Boring. Anyway...

Mom and Dad got smoochy and then the racket began. A bunch of the neighbors started firing their guns. It was really loud! The noise echoed off the mountains and I finally got tired of it. I barked! Mom told me I was a good boy and we ran for the door to go outside so I could bark even louder.

I barked and only a few of my barking buddies answered me. There's a really deep voice up the hill and he wasn't talking. Then there's the female on the lower road (I can tell she's a girl) and she didn't answer me, either. If they don't answer, our network collapses. I only heard from the yappy voice a little north of me and I can never tell if that little dog is answering me or what he's doing. I think he just likes to be mouthy. Anyway...

After I barked a few times, all the shooting stopped. Mom says I'm The Boss. I was really glad it got quiet again because it was way past my bedtime. 

Mom says we'll do it again next New Year's Eve. Seriously? Why? I need my sleep!