Please excuse my unplanned hiatus, readers, but this normally precocious pup has been temporarily sidelined by the aftermath of our recent attack.  My natural optimism and curiosity has been stymied by the unexpected residual effects of our trauma.

Earlier this week, my staples were removed which has made my healing more tolerable and less itchy.  The added irritation of metal around my wounds was causing me to feel a tad irritable, which is not my usual state of mind, and I am happier now that the foreign metals are gone from my skin.

But, I am still feeling uncharacteristically fearful and timid and am finding comfort hibernating with my family this week.  I am not comfortable yet walking again in my neighborhood, knowing the offending dogs still reside around the corner and feel that I still need further healing to gain my confidence.

I spent time with my smaller canine family members during the holidays and they were respectful of my precarious state of mind and body, taking care not to engage me in rowdy puppy-play.  Thankfully, I was able to fully enjoy the festivities and participate in the gift-opening, my favorite part of Christmas, without further injury.

Opening presents!

Even as a puppy, I always fully understood the meaning of presents and the thrill that every child experiences tearing into a wrapped gift, and this Christmas was no different.  I plunged into the first gift bag I spied with my name on the tag.  My body was fully engulfed by the giant wrapping-bag and I emerged with a new baby and a chew toy.  Brilliant!

I had many gifts to open and I fully appreciated and enjoyed all of my presents.  The younger pups in my family were not as keyed into this game, so I enthusiastically assisted them.  It has been a week since Christmas and, to my knowledge, the youngsters still haven’t realized that I absconded with all of their chew toys.  (Yes, a sneaky move by this holiday veteran, but it can remain our secret.)

I'm taking All of the stockings...

I sincerely hope you have all been glowing with holiday cheer this season.  I may have been illuminating a little less brightly than usual, but I was still able to bask in the surprises, happiness, presents, food and merriment of the holidays.

Cheers and paws up to the new year!