Christmas Has Gone to the Dogs

On Dog Dad's side of the family there are kids. Lots of kids. Little kids, older kids, kids who live nearby, kids who live far away. Kids everywhere.

 

On my side of the family there are also lots of kids.

 

Of the 4 legged variety.

 

Our holiday gatherings don't really revolve around Santa and decorating cookies as much as they tend to center on juggling multiple households full of furry friends. Did someone remember to let Dad's dogs out? Mom's dogs have been alone for more than three hours, we better go make the mashed potatoes at her house! Let's go over and visit Uncle G so we can say hi to the dogs. You get the idea. We really love dogs.

 

The not so great part about this is that, while the humans all love to be together, the animals do not feel the same way. All together, we're talking about 9 dogs, 2 guinea pigs and 1 cat in the immediate family. Add to the equation that the dogs range in size from three to nearly 100 pounds and you've got a great animated film on your hands but in real life: chaos.

 

I thought I'd take this opportunity to introduce you to the cast of our Christmas:

Sweet Ben

He wins the award for most expressive ears but has a hard time trusting the world.

 

Shimshak

He's named after my grandparent's bar. He is a fetching machine who also answers to the nickname Shak Attack.

 

Ibsen

Yes, named after the Norwegian playwright. Why? I don't know. He looks like a possum to me.

 

Reno & Sam

The sweetest girls you've ever met.

 

Thisbe

This dog needs a job working for Cirque du Soleil. I swear she's powered by AA batteries.

 

Phinnaeus Bing

He likes to sleep in unexpected places.

 

Arlo Carlos

We affectionately refer to Arl Carl as The Sausage Dog.

 

Recent additions to the clan include a cat named Cujo and two guinea pigs whose names I have forgotten. I'm pretty sure the pigs are coming home for Christmas too.

 

Poor McGee will be traveling to her Nana and Poppy's house for the holiday where she'll only have one other dog to contend with rather than eight. If only they were reindeer, then we could just put a shiny red nose on McGee and call it a day.

 

Dog Dad and I will miss our McGee terribly over the holiday, but we are excited to see all the other pups (and their humans).

 

How does your furry family spend the holiday season?