Christmas 2024

With all the activity happening at the Harvey House, Christmas seemingly arrived more quickly this December.  The old adage –  ‘things always work out’ has proven to be true once again.  Cards got out, gifts were sent, treats were shared, coffee dates were kept and valuable time with family was shared.

Lana & Kooper were here on Christmas Eve Day.  Kooper, Holly & Helen had a full morning with me while Lana worked.  They had chance to get some loving from  my friend, Katie, after she and I had met for coffee.  The car rocks with excitement when she comes to the cardoor!   The fun didn’t stop there.  When I pulled into the garage I noticed the South Dakota license plates in my neighbor’s driveway.  The grandkids are back!  It only took about 3 minutes for the dogs to be noticed in the backyard.  Out the door comes Kendra,  smiling all the way through the yard to play with the dogs.  Neighbor Diane has told me about Kendra’s bulletin board in her room, how it holds pictures of Holly and Helen carefully tacked.  On the dresser is a framed picture of Holly, Helen & Kendra – this one was to valuable for a pinhole.  I opened the gate latch so Kendra could come in then had to run interference with Holly to prevent her from knocking Kendra over.  Holly’s excitement was too much for her to manage, though I could see signs of her trying to restrain herself similar to watching someone with the giggles trying to get control of themselves.  Kendra learned when to tuck behind me or the tree with impeccable timing, then watch Holly go flying by harmlessly.  In time, the energy shifted to playfulness.  Kendra was throwing the ripped, deflated, frozen and gross soccer ball and having it returned to her by Holly promptly, sometimes with it being pulled back in her teasing way and sometimes dropped at her feet for a repeat throw.  The game continued until Lana arrived and we went inside.  Kendra said good-bye to Holly and said ‘I’ll see you again soon’, then ran off for her grandparents house with a wave for me.  Lana, Kooper & I went into the house.  Holly opted to stay outside holding the soccer ball in her mouth, staring at the back door that Kendra had just passed through.  Holly stood hopeful for 5 minutes then came inside to play with another one of her favorite humans, Lana.  The holidays were already showing their specialness!

Lana has tradition of weighing the dogs.  One, she is the one strong enough to lift each of them.  Two, she can do the math.   Kooper gets picked up and is motionless .  You can see the look of ‘here we go again’ in his face.  He’s a favorite dance partner of Lana’s!   Helen of course is not a problem and she too is a compliant partner.  Then there is Holly.  Holly offers Lana no help with the lift.  She turns in to a sack of potatoes, fully limp and trying to keep as much of her body on the floor for as long as she can.  In the past she has flattened her belly on the turf, eliminating space for Lana to get her hand underneath.  This time, Holly was a tad more willing.   Holly – 60 pounds; Kooper – 56 pounds; Helen – 15 pounds.

DeeAnn had gotten a new dog toy from someone at work, that happens often!   It was a latex rubber snowman about 3 inches tall, when squeezed makes a sound like a sick duck.  It was not a squeak, more of a sickly squawk.  Whatever the sound is, it scares Holly.   When the snowman did its first squawk, Deeann said Holly bolted from the kitchen and ran into the living room, reluctant to return.   At first its funny, then its not so funny to see your dog so frightened of something so harmless.  DeeAnn & Lana each spent time with Holly trying to densitize her to the squawk.  They have been moderately successful.  Holly does not bolt from the room now but there is still a level of respect and reluctance with the toy.  Holly indeed likes to carry it around wherever she goes.  I think she wants to know where the little squawker is at all times.  How does the saying go – hold your friends close, and your enemies closer!

Deeann was here on Christmas Day and the dogs again were on the receiving end of more gifts.   Note to self for next year – if you want the dog to play with the toy, don’t wrap the toy with wrap, wrap the wrapping paper with the toy.  The dogs know that Christmas spirit comes from various and diverse sources, the simplest of things.  Perhaps in a text, a gift, a call.  Perhaps in a gift,  a card,  a wallet.  Perhaps in a thought, an idea, or the time spent.  Perhaps in a smile, a laugh, a head nod.  Perhaps in a story, a secret, a silent look.  My friends, my family and my dogs all filled my day and my heart with the content and comfort of Christmas in the simplest and most meaningful ways.  It was wrapped perfectly.