The Gift Beneath the Christmas Tree

      Christmas is fast approaching, and it’s time to buy that special present for our four-legger companions. Most dogs enjoy the unwrapping of these gifts with the same excitement as a child. At times it doesn’t seem to matter what’s in the package, the joy of tearing apart the paper is excitement enough for the four-legger. Of course, each dog has its own style of dealing with the gift under the tree.

     To a dog new to the experience of the Christmas ‘unwrapping’, it may take some coaxing for them to understand that it’s okay to tear the paper apart. Whatever treasure is under the paper may determine how eagerly they attack the wrapping. Usually a toy with a squeaker or something with an especially yummy smell is sure to pique the interest of the dog.  

     Each dog has their own preference to the type of toy they enjoy. Whether it be a soft stuffed toy or a rubber toy, when they hear the package squeak the paper will be flying in all directions very quickly.

     My former dog, Willie, always preferred the rubber toys with a squeaker inside. He learned as a puppy the joy of opening his presents. Each Christmas season he sensed which presents under the tree were his, long before the opening time, but not once did he disturb his presents before Christmas morning. On that morning, as the presents were handed out, he would crawl under the tree, pull out his presents, and eagerly tear open the wrapping. Later, when the discarded paper was placed into a bag he would crawl inside the bag in search of just one more gift.

     Neighbor dog Tucker is by far the most enthusiastic gift opener I have known. He eagerly tears open his presents, sets them aside, and quickly moves along to assist everyone with their unwrapping. Not until all gifts have been opened to his satisfaction, will he return to his own gifts. Like so many four-leggers, his toy of choice is the soft stuffed variety.

     When Whitney joined our family it was obvious she had very little practice in the art of gift opening. Even with our guidance she is hesitant to aggressively tear at the wrapping. In Tucker’s enthusiasm he will offer her his assistance―a gesture she declines by protectively standing over her package. Her excitement does pique when she hears the squeak of the stuffed toy inside the paper, and with our help she begins to tear at the wrapping. Once the toy is out, it’s anybody’s guess as to how long before she kills the squeaker.

     Whichever is your dog’s toy of choice, put a little surprise under the tree for them―the joy of Christmas is in their eyes, too.

     So long, I’ll see you soon!