Merry Christmas!

The spirit of Christmas.

That is what someone called me last week.

What an honor!

As Christmas is just around the corner, this week I have to make sure my spirit is in top form.

That might mean extra kisses, more vigorous tail wags and an added bounce in my step.

And of course, my wardrobe, I can’t forget to wear my Santa hat and jingle bells so people can hear me coming.

Probably the most important part of the Christmas spirit are the things you can’t actually see.

Like a warm heart or that tingly feeling you get when you see someone special.

Or a touch from a special friend that seems to put your worries to rest and makes you feel as light as snow.

Next time I see you I hope that your heart tingles with joy!

Wishing you and your family all the joy and magic of the holiday season!

Oh, Christmas Tree

My family and I visited a Christmas tree farm this past Sunday.

It was one of those farms that you get to pick and cut down your own tree.

There were so many trees to choose from.

There were short little ones just my size and there were trees so tall they could fill a Christmas palace.

With so many trees to choose from, it was hard to select just the right one that would make our living room bright with Christmas cheer.

As I closely examined the trees I began to think about what qualities would characterize the perfect Christmas tree.

The list included things like bright twinkle lights, hand-made ornaments, candy canes and a beautiful star to top the tree.

I realized it didn’t really matter which tree we picked, because every Christmas tree needs love and it is what we bring to the tree that makes it festive!

Barketplace

While some shop at the market for gifts and goodies, I prefer to shop at Barketplace.

Barketplace is like a big candy store for dogs and dog lovers alike.

Before I shopped, I put some time in as a volunteer to help get the festivities underway.

I volunteered for the meet and greet committee.

Since I am a bit shorter than some (well, most) of the dogs that attended, I sat up on the table to greet each shopper with a smile and encouraged them to buy, buy, buy!

Although Barketplace was full of treats, toys, doggie clothes and cool leash sets, it was hard at times to find the perfect gift.

Should I buy my friends a bone or a chew toy?

The choices and pressure to find just the right gift can make your head spin.

As I took a moment to step away from my shopping frenzy, it hit me.

It is not necessarily the gift itself that matters, but it is the process of giving a gift to let someone know you care.

The act of giving is a gift in and of itself.