Dad spent a lot of time last week outside the house hammering lights up all around the house. He did a pretty decent amount of swearing.
I sat by the front door watching him and wagging my tail. When he would look at me, he’d smile. I think I helped a little bit.
When he was done and the sun had set, we all walked out into the front yard and waited for dad to flip the switch.
Everything lit up in reds and greens and blues and yellows. It was pretty.
The kids clapped. Mom said it was the best holiday decorations she’d ever seen.
Dad rolled his eyes a little, but I could see the grin and light in his eyes.
So apparently it’s getting close to what the humans call Christmas. The way the kids are hopping around like they ate four bowls of that sugary cereal Mom doesn’t like them to have, I’d say it’s a big deal.
I’m not really sure what it is because my family only just adopted me this year in June. All the other dogs at the shelter told me it would be great, but I was nervous.
It took a while to get used to living in a home with a family, but I figured it out. Now we’re “like a well-oiled machine,” as Dad likes to say on our morning walks.
Mom sometimes tells me that since I came into the family, I completed them. I never really know what that means, but she sure is happy when she says it, so it must be good.
They even included me in what they called a holiday picture. We all got dressed up – me included – in matching outfits. They kind of looked like pajamas. Mom wanted the kids to wear antlers with jingle bells on their heads, too.
Ellie complained a lot about that. She’s 14 and she said that it was bad enough all of her friends were going to see her in the same pajamas as everyone else, but the antlers were over the top.
Mom eventually caved and said Ellie didn’t have to wear them. Dad seemed pretty grateful because he argued if Ellie didn’t have to wear them, then he shouldn’t either.
The young ones – Will and Jody – put the antlers on with big smiles. I even sat still enough to have one on my head in the picture.
Everyone seemed to love that.
So as close as I can figure, Christmas is a pretty big deal. There’s talk about getting a tree. Apparently humans actually drag live trees into their homes at this time of year and decorate them like they do the outside of the house. I really don’t get that, but I figure it’s not really my place to ask why.
The concept of a Christmas tree excites the kids to no end. The family is planning a trip next weekend to a fields where they get to cut their own tree down. It’s a tradition, apparently.
Mom’s in the kitchen one night making cookies and they smell so good I’d really love to have a nibble, but Mom says there’s chocolate in them and that’s not good for me. So I sit under her feet while she’s mixing and listen to her talk to me.
She says the holidays are a time for family and making memories, and she’s glad I can be a part of it from now on.
That makes me happy, so I wag my tail a little bit and Mom looks down at me, and I make sure to make eye contact and I think she gets it.
She sighs and gives me a pat on the head and goes back to the cookies.
I think about my friends at the shelter and I hope they’re doing okay. I hope they’ve found homes, and if they haven’t, I hope they have a good Christmas. I know the staff will take care of them.
I take a deep breath and stretch out on the kitchen floor. The warmth from the oven is making me kind of sleepy, and Mom has music coming from somewhere that’s pretty mellow, even with the jingle bells.
Just when the room starts to smell like an amazing mix of butter and chocolate, I think to myself how glad I am that I found my family. I fall into my nap knowing I’m going to love finding out what Christmas is all about.
***
Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, readers can call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates a thrift store in Chambersburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the store.
