Sables Under the Tree

 

It should have been a peaceful scene with the lighted Christmas tree, a fire blazing merrily in the fireplace, a comfy recliner with a plush blanket.  Add 80 pounds of supercharged collies and an elderly sheltie who just wants to get out of the way and serenity became Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, or more accurately, Rocking the Christmas Tree. 

Sophie is two, but sometimes thinks she is still a small puppy.  Three-month-old Scout thinks he’s a grown-up dog but is all puppy.  Their favorite game, other than WWE wrestling, is a combination of tug-of-war and keep away.  Often it morphs into all three.

Right now their favorite toy is a square plastic container they confiscated from the kitchen.    When they both managed to get hold of it at the same time, it became a prize they both were determined to have.  Scout was zooming around the couch, sometimes with the toy and sometimes in pursuit of the toy. Sofie tried to head him off at the pass and made a grab for the prize.  Frosty the Snowman got in the act too.  Frosty is a motion activated figure that sits at the end of the sofa table.  When motion is detected, he sings his signature song and dances to the beat.  The first few times he burst into song, Scout stopped dead in his tracks and stared at him.  After several times, I considered getting up and turning him off, but I was awfully comfortable under my blanket.  Sometimes I couldn’t hear Frosty anyway, with the barking of two crazed collies.

Every now and then, Sophie came over to my chair and looked up at me, like, “Did you see that?”  Then Scout discovered that he could jump up into my lap and almost tipped my chair over.  It was at this point that Phoebe, the senior dog, took refuge behind the Christmas tree, turning it almost a quarter turn around.  Another turn or two and I will have to consider putting more decorations on the back side of the tree.  (She turned it back around when she emerged later that evening.)  Maybe I need a fence.

If they could write a letter to Santa, they would ask for lots of treats, sticks and bubble wrap.  Luckily I order enough from Amazon to get a steady supply of bubble wrap and the high winds we are having provide ample sticks.  The bubble wrap makes a fine tug-of-war subject and has the added fun of those popping noises.  It’s a race to see how quickly they can flatten every section. 

Maybe this obsession is why they aren’t afraid of fireworks.  They probably think they are just exceptionally large and noisy air pillows.  For me, they are my best present.  The words of “Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me” echo in my head this time of year.  I’ve never had a sable like the one in the song, nor have a I wanted one.  No fur coat can warm me like a sable and white collie snuggled next to me nor warm my heart like the antics of my collies, even when they are driving me crazy.

Sometimes I feel like I am running a daycare for a roomful of toddlers on a sugar high.  Sophie and Scout don’t need sugar for a rush.  Just living seems to be enough for them.  The simplest things, like a red plastic container, a cardboard box or a sheet of bubble wrap send them into ecstasy.  They don’t care about the calendar – to them every night is Christmas Eve and every morning is Christmas.   Scout is still at the age where multiple potty trips are necessary during the night.  In theory, he is the only furry creature in the house that needs those trips, but according to the other three dogs, he cannot be allowed out alone.  However much I insist that the trips could be very quick, they insist that a patrol of the immediate area (and sometimes beyond) is necessary.  No matter how quiet the night or how peaceful things seem, they bound out the door, taking off in all directions on high alert.  You just never know what might be out there.  I envy their enthusiasm, but even more, I envy their ability to return to bed fifteen minutes later and immediately fall asleep. 

It’s a special gift dogs and cats have that should have been given to humans.  One minute there can be all manner of mayhem taking place and within seconds, all is quiet and sleeping dogs lie scattered like empty packages on Christmas morning.  Now, that is a peaceful scene. Their soft snores accompany the noises I make as I toss and turn, trying to return to my own slumber.

 

 

 

 Merry Christmas from all of us at Maple Shade Farm – I wish everyone could have a sable under their own tree!