Christmas was quiet and peaceful at our den.  Our girl, Anna, did most of the barking about presents and Santa.  She made quite the mess on Friday too.  My parents didn't get mad at her once; just lots of hugging and kissing, opening box after box, filling garbage bag after garbage bag.  None of the good smelly garbage either, just paper, strings, ties and plastic.
Bea and I each got to open a present.  Lucky for Bea she soon realized that both of the gifts were for me; a 6 pack of rawhides and a fuzzy squeaky toy.  I noticed Bea's ears perk up at the sound of the squeak, so I made sure I ripped that squeaker right out before Bea could get her little mouth on it.  Dog rules number 5, 6 and 7: if it's yours it's mine, if you want it I'll take it, and a little slobber does not mean it's yours.
We didn't get invited to the big Christmas feast either, but judging by the cloud of good smells that wafted in when my parents got back, ham was served.  All was not lost though, over the weekend I got my share of goodies off the floor: part of a bagel, one shrimp tail, two cheetos, a piece of a candy cane and three bits of egg bake Anna sent my way.  Poor Bea didn't get any.  She really needs to work on getting faster.
Today at the clinic I was happy to see that most of the pets fared well over the weekend.  Not the usual tummy upsets that mother often has to treat.  Everyone stayed busy though.  We met, Allie who was having a hard time getting the yellow marking liquid out, and Smelly (not her real name, just one I thought fitting) who was getting the liquid out all the time.  Maya, the big mastiff tried to bite mother and Brawny Brandon, just for touching her back legs (during a limping exam where mother could barely notice a limp) and sweet Alfalfa the maltipoo endured stretching and picture taking for a dislocated hip without so much as a yelp.  Enrico returned for one final visit to have the rest of his metal ties taken out.  Still not so much as a whimper, just lots of shaking and longing looks toward the front door.  Alfafa and Enrico's toughness just continued to prove what I already knew, that small dogs are the toughest dogs. 
I did enjoy my holiday with the human pack, but it's good to be back amongst the pets that make me proud to call myself a canine.