A Christmas Story

[Michael Romanos]

Our 30,000th postings Xmas story competition resulted in a tie from the two entries received. Congrats to Michael Romanos & Taylor and Louwants & Duncan.
Read both stories here.

[Michael Romanos]

Taylor, my Pembroke Corgi, had gone visiting as a volunteer, to a local rest home and hospice every fortnight for two years - ever since he was a fabulous puppy. And he was well liked and loved by almost all of the residents, patients and staff.

We always arrived at morning tea time and though Taylor displayed a typical Corgi hopefulness at receiving something constituting food, neither he nor I ever were offered even a muffin or a refreshment.

And at Christmas time, we were not part of the celebrations and no little gift for Taylor.

After two years we called it quits but soon after we were contacted by a local Retirement Village and Dementia Unit to commence fortnightly visits.

The hospitality was gratefully forthcoming from visit number one. And at Christmas 2006, Taylor was not forgotten. He was given two beautifully wrapped presents ( along with one for me) and we attended two Christmas functions within the complex.

The Christmas presents were kept under our decorated tree at home until the official gift unwrapping on Christmas Day. Taylor had kept a watchful eye on his presents for several days and these together with other gifts meant that Taylor had a bountiful of surprises and a full participation in the mayhem of Christmas morning that included my three (other) kids.

Well deserved I felt for a Corgi who gives so much for various causes. And Taylor and I did chime in with a little extra effort - we made a special visit to the Retirement Village on New Year's Day.

[Louwants]

Christmas 2006, my friend shipped Christmas presents for me and my husband; and of course, for our pets. She sent a stocking stuffed with toys, chewies and a big reindeer, hanging out for the dogs.

Our Christmas tree is just a little 4 ft. tall artifical tree that is placed on a stand every year. Not only does it make it appear look a huge tree from the outside, it keeps it up and away from the dogs, so that they don't chew on it or the wires.

After the stocking was under the tree for a week, Duncan, would lay near the Christmas tree and softly whine. I was getting worried and was thinking something may be wrong with him and he was sick or hurting. I would fuss over him, and pet him and try figure out what was wrong. Finally, one night, his whining was getting intense, and I was getting very, very worried. I went over and asked him, what was wrong with him. He finally jumped up on the stand (something he knew he wasn't allowed to do) and stared at the reindeer, sticking out of the stocking, and started to whine even louder!! He had noticed the reindeer, and had been moping around wanting it, and knowing he couldn't jump up on the stand to get it was just eating him alive. So, even though it wasn't Christmas day, I gave him his reindeer, just glad to know he wasn't sick, just acting like a spoiled kid. To this day, he gives that reindeer a good shaking about every night before he goes to bed.