16 December 2009

Christmas shopping is just about wrapping up. Will not be divulging any secrets here. But I generally go for practical presents.

Toning it down a little this year, and I hope that our nuclear family will be making more out of the Christmas Eve movies (tentatively "It's a Wonderful Life" on NBC followed by "The Polar Express" on DVD) and the main event's morning meal (tentatively, Canadian bacon strata with a side of roasted potato medley) than presents. Then again, most people say that every year and each time the day takes on a life of its own. For a while now, I've wanted to institute an annual 'Very Merry Pajama Christmas' whereby everyone gathers to open presents on the morning in question in their PJs --- discretion required. Just doesn't seem to happen. This one is riding her broom, that one wants to do their own thing and meet a few days later, and mother has a history of meltdowns on Christmas Day proper. In the past several years, it's usually a day that has all the fun sucked out of it by people doing their own damn thing and with their own agenda. I accepted that, and made some of my own traditions. This included a Christmas morning walk with Sammy up the hill, around the lake and over to the Revolution-era cemetery on Swamp Road. This will be the second Christmas since he's gone, and the day is all the lesser for it.
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Our neighbor got a rescue-dog this week, a 4-year-old Staffordshire terrier / black lab mix named Elsie. Made the standard greeting of putting out the hand, but she was a little skittish and started yapping a bit. Neighbor said she believes the previous owner abused her, as she is skittish around men. Sheds like the Dickens! Hope it's a good fit for them both.

There's a whole debate about owning your dog from 8 weeks old and getting a rescue dog from a shelter. Some say that a rescue will never truly be your dog, some say that a rescue will love its new owner all the more. I will weasel out, take the middle ground and understand both points of view. It's a choice that each individual has to make. Myself, I would want a litter puppy, and it's a delicate choice. We have had luck with selecting males who are a little fatter and a little oafish. May be a little slow, but they are loyal and gentle. That is how their personality comes rough hewn; it is training that provides the finer touches. We are not ready for another dog, though, and I would be hard pressed to say when we will be. It's a heck of a commitment that too many people take too lightly.