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Jake is tired … he’s happy, but he’s tired.

That big guy in the red suit finally showed up with gifts and then there was Christmas visiting and then there was Christmas dinner and then Kim arrived and there were more Christmas festivities and … somewhere along the line RoadDog got, well, dog-tired. But he sleeps with an odd little smile on his face most of the time. I’m not sure if he’s a happy tired or a tired happy and I’m not sure if there’s much of a difference between the two.

The final chapter of Christmas capers began on Christmas Eve when Steve and I stuffed our stockings. That left Jake unhappy and he didn’t mind letting us know. We couldn’t put things in his stocking because he wouldn’t have left them there until morning, so first he sat on the stairs poking at our stockings with his nose through the railings, then just staring at us as if to say “hello, people, you’ve forgotten something important.”

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We had to wake him up on Christmas morning, but it didn’t take him more than 10 seconds downstairs to realize that his favourite gift bag was under the tree and his stocking was bulging with toys and treats. Within 10 minutes, he’d pretty much been through it all. We were still trying to drink coffee and finish waking up when he had already shaken a new round stuffed squeaky toy dubbed “fat cow” and a blue stuffed toy with long arms and legs named “snow monster.” He’d helped us unwrap his new bed and, oh yes, he’d decided Santa was just not kind when he brought plain, boring treats instead of the chewy ones that smell, well, not so good.

Before long, we were all, fat cow and snow monster included, headed to my parents house for much of the remainder of the day. Jake eventually crashed there behind the couch and I later had to carry him to the car.

Then on Boxing Day, RoadDog’s favourite person in the world, my stepdaughter Kim, arrived for a few days and Jake went nuts all over again.

He’s exhausted, but he sleeps with a smile on his hairy face. Jake had a good Christmas.

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I broke down yesterday and hung Jake’s stocking on the stairs. I just couldn’t take it anymore.

Our RoadDog truly has an incredible memory. Don’t let anyone ever tell you that dogs don’t remember things because it simply isn’t true.

Jake has spent much of the past week waiting. Now admittedly, our beloved Cairn terrier spends a lot of time waiting regardless of the season. He sits at the door and waits for us to take him outside. On weekends, he waits for us to take him to the park. He waits for us to come home from work, he waits to be fed (because I’m just never fast enough to please him), he waits for us to be ready to play ball in the evening and then he waits for us to go to bed. In warm weather, I have no doubt in my mind he waits for us to ask him if he wants to go for a ride on the motorcycles.

But this past week, Jake has been waiting for us to hang his stocking.

I could tell myself he’s been waiting for me to make cookies so he can have a tiny piece or two (or even three — it is Christmas after all). I could tell myself he’s been waiting for us to put up the tree so it would be that much closer to Christmas Day. Heck, I could tell myself he’s waiting for Santa. And to some extent, all of that would be true.

But when our boy was sticking his nose in each tote of Christmas decorations and tree trimmings, in each bag of gifts waiting to be wrapped, I know what he was doing. When he sat at the bottom of the stairs or stretched out on the third step from the bottom, I know what it was about. So I hung the stocking.

Now, as he sniffs at it a dozen times each day or sticks his nose inside to see if anything has magically appeared, Jake is waiting again. He’s waiting for me to fill it, which won’t happen until the big day, so he’s once again out of luck.

I don’t know how many of you fill stockings for your pets or put gifts under the tree for them. (Although I’m guessing quite a few. You are, after all, reading this blog.) But if you’re stuck for ideas for what to buy, I can offer a few suggestions based on what Jake typically finds on Christmas morning.

Treats. Jake being all about his belly, this is always a good option. I try to get a favourite and often a new option as well.

Toys. Everyone should have something new to play with on Christmas morning. Remember the joy you felt as a kid with a new toy or the joy now with a new electronic gadget, book or whatever tickles your fancy. Our pets are the same. (Plus, in Jake’s case, it buys us a few minutes of peace to drink our morning coffee.) Jake is particularly fond of stuffed toys with squeakers and bouncy balls that he can chase around the yard.

Travel accessories. If you travel with your pet as we do, the list might include a travel bowl and water bottle. A halter or pet sling to keep your dog safe in the car is also a good idea. Jake wears a seat belt harness when one of us takes him in the car alone without the other to hold onto him. Safety is important.

Other goodies. It might be time to think about a new collar and leash or a tag engraved with your pet’s name and contact info. Both are stylish and safe. A bottle of doggie shampoo slides nicely into a stocking (although since baths aren’t Jake’s favourite thing, I’m not sure he entirely appreciates that). How about a doggie blanket or towel. Jake has both of those decorated with paw prints to distinguish them as his. (I love my dog, but I don’t really want to use his towel by the swimming pool.) Perhaps your pet would like a fluffy new bed to curl up in. Jake is getting one, but please don’t tell him if you see us. I can’t wait to see him try to get it out of that giant gift bag.

There are probably as many gifts as there are pets, each with their own distinct personalities. The main thing is to include your four-legged friends in Christmas. They are, after all, a big part of the family and deserve to have a great day too. In the holiday hustle and bustle, please don’t forget to give them a little time and attention and to keep them safe. They do so much for us all year long.

Merry Christmas from RoadDog and his humans!
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It’s starting to look like Christmas might happen at our house this year after all and our RoadDog is definitely getting into the season.

After feeling like I was so far behind these last few weeks, we managed to make some progress this weekend and I might be just about back on track. For those of you who know me well, don’t worry, there will be gifts this year because my shopping is done. Oh, and the packages and cards went in the mail last week and, with the exception of the Christmas tree, the house is decorated. The only cookie in the house right now, I think, is a stale Oreo, but I’ll deal with that this coming weekend, along with the tree and the gift wrapping.

Jake, as usual, has been a big help. Let’s see … he stuck his nose in all the boxes of Christmas decorations, he “helped” me wrap the ribbons around the stair posts and railing, and this morning before I left for work I found him chewing on a giant twist-tie under the dining room table. I’m not sure where that came from but I think I’ll figure it out when something falls over or down.

As usual, our Cairn has a memory like an elephant. Last night, in the middle of a game of ball on the living room floor, he headed over to the stairs and sat down. Steve and I just looked at each other and shook our heads, realizing that was Jake’s subtle reminder that, despite all the decorating, the stockings had not been hung on the stairway with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

That dog doesn’t forget anything and he loves his Christmas stocking. That’s actually why we decided to wait to put up the stockings because, once they’re hung there, Jake is forever sniffing at his and sticking his nose in it looking for treats and toys. Between keeping him out of his stocking, keeping him out of the gifts under the tree and just generally keeping him out of mischief, those last few days before Christmas are rather busy.

Jake loves Christmas. From the time he was a puppy, our RoadDog has always loved the holidays. What’s not to like about a season that’s all about spoiling those you love when you have people who love to spoil you?

And it is possible that we spoil Jake … just a little. His stocking will be filled and there will be bags and packages under the tree with his name on them. Now if we can just keep him out of mischief until the big day.

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The fast approaching holidays have me thinking about gift buying which makes me think about all the wonderful things we saw but didn’t buy during our travels this summer.

Steve and I and our RoadDog made a fantastic visit to a glassblower outside Stowe, Vermont. It was a beautiful little cottage workshop on a rural road, the kind of place that makes you feel welcome as soon as you pull into the driveway.

We planned to take turns going inside to have a peek about the showroom, so Steve went inside first. He returned moments later to say that the glassblower was actually inside and was happy to welcome all three of us. After a brief frightening vision of Jake amid all that fragile artwork, I scooped our Cairn up into my arms and followed Steve into the shop.

It was beautiful. I enjoy admiring blown glass in general and this gentleman’s work was so pretty. There was just something fabulous about the way the colours blended and this artist had a wonderful way of adding bubbles into his work. We’d spent a few minutes appreciating things and chatting about dogs, when the gentleman asked if we’d like to watch him work. He assured us Jake was welcome as well, so we followed him into his work area.

It was fascinating to watch him create. This man is truly an artist with all the skill and patience that comes with that title. We must have watched him for close to an hour and our RoadDog was such a good boy. Other than some minor excitement meeting the man’s Jack Russell at one point, our Jake was pretty much content to simply watch and wait.

In the end, we bought a beautiful glass bowl, which the man shipped to us. It arrived a few days after we returned home, a wonderful memento of the time we spent there and the vacation in general.

If only I’d managed to think about Christmas gifts even once while I was there. I’m sure he would have happily shipped a larger box and maybe my shopping would be done.

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