It was crisp and cold for our 4:30 PM walk. The full moon shone directly on the deck lighting our path. Mom attempted to get us to attend to it but Dash’s nose provided another source of exciting input! His entire body formed a straight line from nose to tail with singular exception of a bent paw indicating the direction of his interest. “There, look at the visitors.”

See his intent look?

See my surprised look?
I looked and shook my head. My jowls wiggled in disbelief. Mom had not yet noticed. Had Christmas come early? Our tree was not up! We were going to be disgraced!!!! Our cookies and milk were not out for Santa. Oh, heavens! I had not written my Santa Paws letter!
There were four reindeer in the pasture.

There were three reindeer in our backyard.

Dash was tugging on the leash to meet Santa and sit in his lap. Oh, my heavens! Was Christmas about to be ruined? I had not sent my Santa paws letter. Dash was about to startle the shy reindeer into leaving, taking Santa and the sleigh with them! This was a catastrophe!!! That is (almost) exactly what happened. With a whiff of the tail and a turn of the hoof, the reindeer “dashed” …

Into the woods.
“Weren’t the deer beautiful?”
Deer. Not reindeer. My brother did not ruin Christmas after all. I still have time to write my Santa Paws letter. And to all a good night!

Woofs and wags,

Bella