First: A bit of business…
The winner of the BYOU Magazine subscription giveaway is:
1) Susan: sgeh——–
Congratulations, Susan. I’ve emailed you to obtain shipping address information. I hope that a special girl in your life enjoys BYOU as much as Twin A has.
And now…Back to our regularly scheduled post:
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Dear Santa,
I’m sure that you’re pretty surprised to hear from me. And, to be frank, I’m rather surprised to be writing you, considering the fact that I’ve tiptoed around my home on your behalf every Christmas Eve for the past eleven years, leaving presents underneath the tree and in the stockings, snarfing down cookies, guzzling milk, leaving crumbs and forged reindeer hoofprints in my wake.
But, as you know, my children have joined forces as of late in hopes of winning your favor. And, in all honesty, this uncommon show of unity and cooperation has me somewhat concerned.
So I’m going to hedge my bets and operate under the assumption that you are, indeed, real, and capable of granting super-big Christmas wishes.
Let me be clear: This is not one of those sniveling, smarmy letters about some ridiculous object of my desire that I MUST see under the tree come Christmas morning.
Oh, no.
It’s about what I DON’T want to see under the tree.
And that would be a puppy.
Please don’t be too hasty to judge me. Here’s the deal, Santa: The Cherubs have been yammering for a puppy since mid-October. As soon as their tears over the loss of our beloved Macy had dried, they turned their collective attentions upon Christmas…and how it would be the perfect time for a new dog.
I disagree whole-heartedly.
Does that make me mean?
Wait…don’t answer that. Just hear me out on this one first, big guy.
I think that fulfillment of Christmas wishes is fabulous. I really, really do.
And I love me some baloney-breathed, razor-toothed puppy affection as much as the next girl.
However.
I truly don’t believe that the time is right.
There are the obvious, practical reasons: The Cherubs are in school and unable to help with the care of a puppy. We will be doing some traveling as a family during the winter months. These creatures need to spend plenty of time outdoors as they are being housetrained, and who in their right mind wants to supervise tinkle time while standing in knee-deep Illinois snowdrifts and shivering in sub-zero degree temperatures?
No one, that’s who.
But, practically aside, there’s more.
And here’s where it gets sort of dicey, St. Nick.
The Cherubs aren’t aching for a dog.
There. I said it. And I won’t waver on this issue.
For the past eleven years, they’ve always had a dog – or two – around the house. They’ve tripped over the creatures and pulled their tails and attempted to dress them up and put makeup on them and taught them the Cha-Cha Slide and all the things that deranged young dog owners do.
Dogs have consistently been part of the family portrait around here. The Cherubs have never been without one.
Just like they’ve never been without a family room couch.
Or holes in the big toes of their socks.
Or overgrown fingernails.
A dog always been a given, so to speak.
And now? Now that the given is…well…gone?
It’s become clear to me that they’re truly starting to appreciate what they had. It’s a sensation that’s hard to come by in this age of entitled youth. And it’s…dare I say it? Character building.
So, Santa, while it is most definitely your call whether or not to leave a wriggling bundle of cuteness under our tree this year, I’m going to ask that you resist The Cherubs’ pining and allow them to wait a while longer.
It is Christmas, after all.
And just as a certain birth was heralded some two thousand years ago after the world had waited…
And waited…
And then waited some more…
I know that my children will herald the inevitable arrival of a new friend
If they are allowed to wait
A bit longer.
Inspired by a prompt from
Is it the time of year to get a new dog? Because I see many bloggers have over the past few months.
May your puppy not get here until er, summer? Tell the Cherubs their puppy is being conceived. Or something.
I’m thinking late spring/early summer. And hiring you to have The Talk with The Small One when I tell him that the pup is “being conceived.” Okaythanks.
Alison! I laughed out loud when I read this! Hilarious!
Think about an older rescue dog when you think you are ready, the training is a little easier with an older dog and they are so grateful to have a home. I will never have a puppy again but will always have a dog. Christmas is too busy a time for a puppy and you are right it will end up your job.
That’s another idea we’re tossing around, Katie. You’re right…there are TONS of benefits to rescuing.
My oldest has been asking for a dog, too. But I really think the time must be right, and for us, it just isn’t. (Maybe someday, though.) And you are right – standing outside in snow drifts multiple times a day as you try to train a puppy does not sound like any fun at all!
Kim, I have watched lap dogs literally become buried in snowbanks when their owners take them outside in the winter. And I won’t even THINK about those indoor pee pad thingies. Eeeeww.
I have explained over and over that Santa does NOT bring live animals. Then some dumb kid at school has to blow that whole idea when HIS Santa dropped off a puppy or a kitten or gerbil or something. Kiddo is asking for an ocelot. A friggin ocelot! Not sure if this is a test to determine if the big guy is real or sign of a deranged/active imagination.
Not happening. He just realized his fish died (and is NOT being replaced). The fish died 3 months ago. :sigh:
Good luck, my dear.
Yeah…I’ve tried the “Santa doesn’t bring animals” thing, too. Blasted classmates spoil all of that fun.
Also – An OCELOT? Good luck to YOU, my friend.
As much as I love my dogs, I’m all for anything that builds character in this “age of entitled youth”. The good Lord knows my two could use more of it!
I just look at it as taking advantage of a teachable moment…or season.
I like Allison’s advice to tell the Cherubs their puppy is being conceived! They’ll just have to wait a bit longer for the perfect dog to be in the household. Santa’s making sure he’s getting the dog just right.
Exactly, Meg. These things cannot be rushed.
It was 13 degrees two mornings ago when we woke up and that’s in Arkansas…so, if you had to be taking a dog out in the snow in Illinois this time of year, I would think that would be reason enough for you not to get one. Forget about the whole character building thing.
Borrow a friend’s puppy, when he has to go outside to go to the bathroom in negative degree weather, wake the kids up and have THEM take the dog out…I guarantee you they will change their minds pretty darn quick.
Good luck on the no dog battle!
The Twins are prime pet-setting age…that should tide ‘em over…and learn ‘em a lesson or two…until the spring. I hope.
Hope Santa grants your wish.
We feed four animals and my kids always think it’s worth asking for another.
Ack. I’ve missed your blog.
Thanks, Maggie. And you just reminded me…we feed several dozen Assorted Tropical Schooling Fish. #notameanmomafterall
Definitely enjoy the pet free break…you’ll know when the time is right!
The loneliness is almost peaceful, Kat…we’ll embrace the chaos when it comes…it’ll be here before we know it!
I’m dying to know how it turns out! Having gone through the puppy stage 3 years ago, you’d think I’d be over it by now, but I am NOT. I’m stilled scarred – puppies are cute. But they are HARD.
Word, Missy.
Aw, now I kinda want a puppy… all I have are a couple VERY annoying cats.
Now, a cat? In MY house? No way, no how. Still love you thought, Jen.
Very good reasons for not wanting a puppy at this time. I love them myself, but they do require an awful lot of training and care and attention. It’s definitely hard to do that during such a chaotic time of year.
Just stopped in via Mama Kat’s!
It’s like another kid, no? *shudder*
My kids have two elderly dogs that they have known all of their lives. While there is nothing imminent, I know it won’t be terribly long before my kids have one dog in their life, and then none — and, while I’m a dog person, it will be a long time after we’ve become a “no dog family” before we get another dog.
The need needs to grow.
I’m with you on this one.
You speaka my language, John. And so I’m going to have The Cherubs call you if and when it hits the fan around here.
You had me at “character building” – yep.
It may not be as sweet and dreamy as “love sweet love,” but I do think the world could use more Character Building. Indeed.
This post hit just the right note of humor, depth and – seasonal/universal relevance.
So I hope Santa is good to you. Even though you snarf his cookies.
p.s. I’m a big sucker and have two dogs already. Might I say, emphatically, do NOT get a guinea pig. The character building stops when you have to clean that cage each week. Then it’s just torture.
I promise.
Julie, I’m still scarred by a childhood experience involving gerbils that went all Lord of the Flies on each other.
Rest assured, there will be no caged varmints round these parts. Ever.
I’m still not sure how to break it to my kids that Santa *won’t* be bringing their biggest wish this year… just like last year… and the year before. But you should still believe in him, my little darlings. Just be selective about what you ask him for. Not sure my 7-year-old is buying it.
We try to keep their wishes realistic, Melanie. You’re right…paring down their wishes = less disappointment.
I think definitely wait until summer when the rain is less and the mud has dried! I agree 100% on you know who will be in charge of the dog after the few days of fun wear off. Let me add one thing, I am loving my new DOG we rescued and not puppy. We have not had any puppyhood here. We forget when we have had dogs that have lived a long time what a puppy means – constant watching!!!! It’s like childbirth – you forget about it until its too late
. Go for a dog! 
Adoption sounds more and more appealing, M…we’ll definitely look into it!
[...] you’ve probably surmised by now, there was No puppy in a stocking at Christmas for The Cherubs. And that was pretty much ok with them, considering the fact that I prepared [...]