Christmas Dreams
(to the tune of White Christmas)

I'm dreaming of slow squirrel
One I could catch and make my toy
Or a lovely shoe
That I could chew
Would add greatly to my joy

I'm dreaming of a dog biscuit
Tall as a house and twice as wide
Little toys that squeak
And kids that shriek
And huge bones made of rawhide

I'm dreaming of a huge buffet
With all the plates at table's edge
Grabbing hefty portions
Of people rations
Before they go in the fridge

I'm dreaming of a long walkie
One where I choose where I will go
Greeting doggie friends
Sniffing both ends
Our tails wagging to and fro

I'm dreaming of a soft pillow
all to myself and end of day
Where I snore the evening away
Storing energy for doggie play...

Elizabeth Cusulas

Christmas...Without My Dog

The tree is all trimmed.
The gifts are all wrapped.
The hymns are all sung,
And the travel plans mapped.
And still there's a sadness
That lies in your heart,
For a dog that was lost
And a love now apart.
A stocking is missing,
With toys and a treat.
A lap is now empty,
A space at your feet.
Yet remember this season
God's small gift to you,
Wonderful memories
To treasure life through.

Walkie with You
(Tune of Sleigh Ride)

Jingle, tingle, jingle, tingle, jingle tingle,
oh...

Just hear those dog tags jingling
Ring ting tingling too
Come on it's lovely weather
For a walkie together with you

Oh it's just like Iditarod
Pulling you on the ice
We've got the leashes in our mouths
We're not gonna ask twice

Giddy-yup giddy-yup, giddy-yup lets go
We'll eat all the snow
We'll drag you around till your cheeks glow
Giddy-yup giddy-yup, giddy-yup it's grand
Tugging at your hand
We're galloping after the scent of a doggie parade that's grand

The other dogs are out there now
Making tracks in the snow
All the best smells are fading fast
To the park we must go

So grab that leash and hurry up
Anxious doggies are we
We're loaded up with water
So we can mark every tree!

Elizabeth Cusulas

HOLIDAY ETIQUETTE FOR DOGS

Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know: Don't pee on the tree - don't drink water in the container that holds the tree. Mind your tail when you are near the tree-if there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open - don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - don't eat off the buffet table - beg for goodies subtly - be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.

Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important: Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house - tolerate children - turn on your charm big time.

A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.
DON'T BITE HIM!!
 

Happy Holidays
from
Everyone at
Bill Foundation