MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yet another day of cookies, cookies and more cookies -- of course none for me or Bea -- no, no, just more and more cookies for the people.  Apparently, all Bea and I get for Christmas is the soap treatment.  Mother was grumbling something about Bea being stinky and before I knew it, Vonnie took each of us in turn to the tub.  Now we even smell like the cookies and still haven't seen the first sign of one headed in our direction.

Maybe it's my bitterness from sheer hunger, but amidst all the warm feelings of happiness, I took heart in a good old story of revenge.  Two dog brothers, Ocho and Melvin came in today.  To truly appreciate this story you have to know the background. Two years ago, before my time, Ocho visited my father because he was limping.  "Melvin plays so rough sometimes, I think he doesn't know his own strength.  He stepped on Ocho and he's been carrying the leg ever since".  Ocho is one of the those strong, silent types.  He didn't complain once for the black and white pictures so everyone was suprised when father said it was broken.  As the story goes, Ocho took all of his bandaging visits like a real dog.  Through all the glue stuck to his hair and the rash from his toes rubbing together, nary a whine was heard.  Little did anyone realize that he was storing up all of his anger.  Schnauzers are known to be smart dogs, but no one knows they're as conniving as they are smart
Fast forward to today, Melvin comes in for limping.  Mother was certain that he had twisted his knee and was surprised when he let out a yelp when one of his toes was touched.  Then it was Melvin's turn on the black and white table.  Despite the fact that he was three times the size of Ocho, his bravery barely half the size.  He shook and twisted, and needed his dad to hold his paw to get him through.  No one was surprised when mother said, "Yep, it's broken".  I was the only one who got a look at Ocho when the news was delivered.  A wry smile started to spread across his face. "You don't know how long I've waited.  How long I've tried to pay back the big oaf for squishing my toe.  How many holes I've had to dig waiting for him to fall into one just the right way.  Finally I have my vengeance.  Finally, a merry Christmas for me!"  Of course, Ocho's parents were too busy worrying about poor Melvin to see the look of sheer delight on Ocho's face.  I must bark, nothing makes me happier than to see the small dogs rule the world.  Well, other than a few cookies maybe.