[pyrnet] Holiday Etiquette For Dogs

["Sariena" <s.foley@sympatico.ca>]

               Holiday  Etiquette For Dogs

                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:

                - - don't pee on the tree
                - - don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
                - - mind your tail when you are near the tree
                - - if there are packages under the tree, even ones that
smell  interesting
                or that have your  name on them, don't rip them open
                - - 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:

                - - not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
                - - don't eat off the buffet table
                - - beg for goodies subtly
                - - be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your
sofa
                - - 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:

                - -observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in
other people's
                houses.
                - - respect the territory of other animals that may live in
the house
                - - tolerate children
                - - turn on your charm big time.

                7. A big fat 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!!