2006 tree, chez A Rational Animal 

Another Christmas, and I have to admit that this year, I’m probably more relieved than anything else that it’s nearly over.  Expectations no longer matter, and we can get on with the business of winter.

Nonetheless, this year’s tree is a beautiful one - small, but a fresh, plush, positively blue Fraser fir.  And I dispensed with the ribbon streamers and tinsel this year, preferring merely lights and ornaments instead, with lots of green showing through.

The dogz helped decorate, of course - they’re amazingly good.  When the tree goes up and the decorations come out, they crowd around, sniffing everything, then lie down on the floor to keep my company as I work.  And they don’t try to play with the ornaments or pull them down (didn’t even when they were puppies).  But they clearly love Christmas; maybe they remember from year to year that it’s new-squeaky-toy-and-rawhide season.  This year was no exception.  Santa brought each of them the Ultimate Doggy Toy:  a Booda squeaky hedgehog in a Santa hat.  Talk about doggy ecstasy . . . .

Of course, Major, Mom’s big guy, hasn’t gotten his hedgehog yet; poor guy spent today at the vet’s, too.  But the vet called us early this morning (yes, at 9:30 on Christmas morning!) to tell us that he’s responsive and healing well, and that we can pick him up anytime after 9AM tomorrow.  So he’ll be in hedgehog heaven in a few hours, too.

Today has, however, given me some opportunities to reflect on my own good fortune - on how blessed I am in so many ways.  I hope your holiday was equally blessed, and that it augurs a glorious new year.  Happy Holidays from A Rational Animal’s household!