I love the holidays.
I remember my first Christmas with Guinness. It was a magical time since I had not spent a holiday with a dog in 5 years and I had no idea how much I missed spending the holidays with a dog.
My heart was happy and so was Guinness. I had decorated the house with my Dickens’s Department 56 houses, put up the small trees, stockings and outside lights. The only thing missing was the tree. A real tree, yes it’s not Christmas without a real tree and off I went. I am particular about my tree and went to three places to find the perfect one. Alas, there she was, perfect all around and the right height. I strapped the tree to the roof of my Honda and headed home. I got home, took that 9’ tree inside, stuffed it in the stand and baked a batch of cookies while I waited for the tree to settle. The time had come. I strung the lights first, hung all of my beautiful ornaments that I have been collecting since 1981 and the last thing, a handmade tree skirt that my mom had made me years before. After 3 hours of decorating I stood back to admire my work. Perfect. I looked at Guinness and asked, “What do you think?” Had I actually listened to his response I may have been able to prevent the inevitable.
While I was baking more Christmas cookies I thought I take a peek at the tree again to smell that sweet pine smell. Where was Guinness? He was sitting on his bed in the living room, just looking at me. I wondered what was wrong and then I saw it. Guinness tinkled on the tree!!! He lifted his leg and peed on the bottom branches and all over the tree skirt. I couldn’t get mad, I understood his confusion and besides the look of sorrow on his face was apology enough. His answer when I asked what he thought was …sweet you brought the potty inside because it’s cold and you love me.
I wish I could have said that this was the only time but no, he did it the following year too. I finally got smart and put chairs around it while I wasn’t home. Crisis adverted.
I love my holidays with Guinness. He make things simple and fills my home with love.
May your holidays be filled with love and joy.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Joyous Kwanzaa.
Joan and Guinness