Hi Sue!
I forgot how much fun it is to decorate for Christmas with a puppy in the house. I don’t remember if Peanut got into trouble, I’m sure he did, but Chica was about the same age Bailey is now when her first Christmas rolled around and she ate a quarter of a string of mini lights on me. I used to put them around the door Bailey’s facing with the gate attached to it. Notice I no longer do that…It’s actually a bonus to have her so young at Christmas because it motivated me to be much neater about my decorating this year. Instead of unwrapping an ornament and tossing the tissue paper on the couch in a giant heap, I folded it and put it in an empty storage container until the one I was working out of was done, then transferred it back and started on another.
The little monkey learned some new tricks. She can now climb on the back of the sofa to get at the top of the storage boxes I keep next to it and somehow figured out how to hop on top of these two without sending the one she’s standing on flying as they were both empty at the time. Those are my office keys she’s making a beeline for the bedroom with. Nothing of value J LOL. Since she came home I keep my camera out and at the ready because you just never know when an adorable photo op will happen and it usually only lasts a few seconds, as was the case here.
I am very happy to report that she has left the tree alone, although I do surround it with baby gates when I can’t keep an eye on her because I’m buzzing between rooms. If given the chance, she does enjoy running away with my little snow globes, though, and snatched a lamb from my Nativity set once. She doesn’t chew on them. She just likes to bring them over to one of the dog beds and lay with them, but I don’t take any chances, especially with the dried up snow globes, and replace them with one of her little toys, which makes her just as happy.
She and I are heading for Albany on the 18th to help my Mom and Dad get the house ready for the holidays. Alex, Chica and Curley will follow on Christmas Eve. I’ve found a great daycare to put her in while Mom and I work around the house and if she still has some energy left at the end of the day, I’ll send her out for a seven mile run with Grandpa. He’s tried running with three Goldens over the years and each of them pooped out on him after a mile or two. My sister’s Australian Shepherd could probably go the distance, but from what I gather, lacks the ability to focus and take direction when her herding drive kicks in. I’ve yet to meet Sonya. Bailey could just be the perfect running companion for him and I will happily send her in my stead since I haven’t run since she and Curley came home.
We wish you, Mike and all your family, both two and four legged and particularly David and little Madison, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Love,
Sarah & Alex
Chica, Curley & Bailey
