Christmas

The “C” Word or The Winter of Our Death

No, not that C word.* Not even Christmas. I am afraid I have the other C word – covid. I haven’t had a test to make sure, but from my symptoms it would appear I have omicron. I guess from now on I will have to post using a Ouija Board or spirit box. My biggest disappointment so far is that the Other Side looks much like where I came from. I was hoping for more clouds.

This is the first time I have been sick in a while. The last time was shortly after Geordie died. (Remember those Fever Dreams?) I don’t know if Toby were still grieving or if he were too young to process my being sick, but this puppy will NOT let me out of his sight now. He insists we play ball or share food or hang out together at all times. He is fascinated and amused as my voice comes and goes. He acts as he’s never seen anyone cough before. It is hilarious. Also, I can get nothing done with him glued to my side.

Hey Mom, can we do something? Can we play ball? Wanna share a snack? I would really like to go for a walk. What do you say?

I have been curious if psoriasis might behave any differently if I were sick. People with autoimmune disorders are thought to have very robust immune systems that just get turned around and attack the body instead of invaders. I have wondered if my immune system had something constructive to do if it might stop attacking me. So far that seems to be happening. I no longer look as much like a burn patient, and my joints only hurt about half as much. Hey, I’ll take it.

If anyone has sent us Christmas cards, unfortunately we won’t be able to pick them up until after Christmas ’cause we’re not allowed out in public. We will still appreciate them, though!

Christmas card torn up by a naughty Cairn terrier puppy.

I like eatin’ ’em! – Toby

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It may be too late to shop for Christmas (and I can’t go to the PO to ship anyway. See above), but this would be a great way to spend that holiday loot that you know you’re going to get!

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Dream Our World follows Bitey and Toby as they visit the museum of their dreams. If you haven’t read it yet, it is fun for all ages. (And Toby says it tastes delicious as well. I don’t know; I’ll just have to take his word for it.)

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*I do have a cousin who started chemo on Friday. If you have any room in your prayers for him, they would be much appreciated.

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The Christmas Letter

Ack!
Mom!!
What is it, Toby? Look what Santa wrote.
Dear Toby, I won't be coming to your house this year because of Covid. You weren't a very good boy anyway, so I wasn't going to be bringing you anything. Things might have been didfferent if you had been nicer to Geordie. Santa Paws.
Geordie! You are in so much trouble! Heh heh. Totally worth it.

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Cover of the book Dream Our World

To keep your little monsters out of trouble, get them a copy of Dream Our World to read so they will be busy. Inside, Bitey and Toby go to the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Dream Our World is available from my shop and from Amazon.

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Toby Gets Something for Christmas

So, who is this Santa fellow again, and what is it I am supposed to be doing for him?

Um, I might not be too worried about that if I were you.

Toby has been as wound up and boisterous as any child these past few weeks…so much so that I wasn’t sure tht Santa would bring him anything.  Then Toby pulled his act together and was a perfect little angel puppy last night.  If Santa works like Christianity, then a last minute repentance is still enough to ensure a reward.

Don’t pee on the tree, and you might just get some tennis balls!

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We are all waiting with great anticipation not so much for a visit from Santa but a posting of a certain Malt’s Christmas prank.

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If Santa happened to bring you an Amazon gift card for the holidays, you can use it to get your very own copy of Dream Our World!  Inside, Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Dream Our World is available from Amazon….and soon a museum!

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The Ornament

 

Christmas tree with picture of Geordie overlooking the scene.

Geordie Christmas Tree Ornament

Now Geordie is not just above the tree but on it.  In the background, I can hear Toby grumbling something about how he “never got a dinner…”

Black and white sketch of Cairn terrier puppy.

Harrumph.

Don’t worry, Toby.  Your picture hangs in the hall.

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To see my boys getting along, pick up a copy of Dream Our World.  Inside, Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Cover of the book Dream Our World

To see my boys not always getting along, try Poopiter!

Bitey Dog and Toby in POOPITER

Poopiter follows Bitey and Toby during their first illustrated year together.

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For My Friend Max

Unhappy terrier wearing Christmas Santa outfit.

When I get this strap off my jaw, I am SO going to bite you.

Unhappy terrier lying down while wearing Christmas Santa outfit.

I’m in my happy place… I’m in my happy place…

Unhappy terrier playing dead while wearing Christmas Santa outfit.

Maybe if I play dead, she’ll go away.

Dear Max, at least your Papa had the excuse of being tipsy when he got too close to that one-click Amazon button. My Mom was completely sober when she made this.

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Cover of the book Dream Our World

Copies of Dream Our World are still available!  Recent readers have commented on how good the book is at introducing youngsters to art.  If there are any little ones or even teachers in your life, consider inviting them to The Museum of the Imagination.

Come with Bitey and Toby on their adventure to the MOTI.  There they view the world of art from a canine perspective while enjoying a day of unsupervised fun.

Dream Our World is available from Amazon.

 

 

 

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What Am I?

Purple Dog Toy

Plush purple dog toy

“Santa” dropped off some gifts for me to wrap for the boys so as to lighten his load come Christmas eve.  One of the gifts was this cute-yet-mysterious plush animal toy.  The face seems familiar, but what is it supposed to be?  It looks a little like an unspotted giraffe.  Or it might be a sort of kangaroo?  I am not sure, but I thought someone out there might recognize him/her.

The animal is intended for Toby, but I have a feeling he is going to be more interested in the wrapping paper than the toy.  Why? He attacked the tube of paper while I was trying to wrap the gifts.  Just as little humans are more interested in the box than the toy, so are tiny canines.  Perhaps I should just give my boys paper and boxes and be done with all the shopping nonsense.

 

 

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The Christmas Tree

Oh come on! I am not a puppy anymore!

I had forgotten about having to do this until I went to visit my friend.  I thought she had been interrupted while she was decorating her tree because it only looked half-decorated.  Then her two dogs got into a playful wrestling match, and I realized why the decorations only went from the middle up. “Don’t decorate below the Dog Line!”  (We had a similar phrase in my family that said not to eat the grapes that grew below the Dog Line.)

Little Cairn terrier takes a nap under the Christmas tree.Geordie always liked taking a nap under the tree.  I wasn’t sure if he were waiting for Santa or if he were participating in the nativity.  Perhaps a little of both!

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