Christmas Etiquette for Dogs
Sunday, December 24, 2006 at 07:38AM 
A Dog's Rules for Christmas
1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.
2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.
3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.
4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a
prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
a. Don't pee on the tree.
b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree.
c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree.
d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell
interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open.
e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree.
5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans.
b. Don't eat off the buffet table.
c. Beg for goodies subtly.
d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa.
e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.
6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house.
c. Tolerate children.
d. Turn on your charm big time.
7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.
DON'T BITE HIM!!
Reader Comments (6)
Oh, those are great! I made a copy for Libby because they all apply to her. She's being so grumpy about wearing the fake antlers, especially when the lights and music are on!
Merry, merry Christmas to you, Kim! And may God bless you in the coming year as only He can---with Himself.
Funny! God bless you and yours this Christmas and New Year.
I'll add one that my dog needs to learn: The things hanging on the tree are not chew toys, so don't chew them.
We tried putting a Santa hat on Taffy and she slunk down to the basement and didn't emerge from there for several hours.
This was great fun to read! I am guilty of "getting that special pleasure" out of seeing Mo with fake antlers.
Mo particularly needs to learn 5d with regard to unknowing strangers and the couch...
Merry Christmas, Kim!
XO
our dogs have to tolerate jingle bell collars. they don't like them...but they do tolerate them, though Sassy had to learn...no scratching the bells off!
I think I will have to post this list for our dog Sophie - especially rule 5a - she's very affectionate :)
Merry Christmas Kim - hope your day was lovely.