A Curiously Early Lodge Dog Christmas
“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humor.” - - A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
Caution: Some photos may be considered violently silly and overtly fluffy! The unsuspecting snowman had no idea what perils awaited him. He simply sat there, grinning away on the back of my golf cart. Clueless! Christmas came early this year to the Land of Misfit Dogs. The role of Santa would be mine! The role of clueless fell upon the snowman.
A half hour earlier I’d plowed through the staff room door in my usual chipper mood, fully prepared to choke the life out of the coffee maker if it did not produce quickly. What maniacal fiend had delivered giant boxes for me to lug around so early in the day? Could anything possibly come out of Wyoming that I would want at 7:45 a.m.? Why were they addressed to, “The Dogs at The Lodges?” Wielding a large kitchen knife I gleefully stabbed into the first boxes. Coffee perked rhythmically in the background.
To my surprise dozens of plush toys erupted from every box. As I cut the tape which bound them inside; reindeers, angels, snowmen, tin soldiers and the like pushed outward, overflowing onto the floor. Within moments I sat in a pile of stuffed animals. How could I not smile? The unexpected bounty of fun ignited a feeling of Christmas despite the desert heat.
Days later an email would revel that a business in Casper, Wyoming had held a “stuffed animal drive” for the dogs. It was a simple act of kindness. Even more amazing two young children, eight year old twin sisters, had donated many of their own toys. The last of the boxes contained the girls' letters.
“Dear Best Friends,
I want to give your dogs one of my stuffed animals because we had a garage sail and I still have some left. These are the dogs I want to give the stuffed animals to.
Sophie,
Orea,
Shelby, and
Fillbert
I hope the dogs like them
see ya soon!
Yor Friend
McKenna R.”
“Dear Best Friends,
I would like you to give my stufft animals to these dogs Quick Draw, Valeatine, Kima and Daja. What ever Stofft animals are left over please give all the rest of the dogs. Give all the dogs a hug for me. Thank you!
Sincery,
Hunter R. There certainly would be enough “stofft animals” left for all. While piling toys into my golf cart for distribution, its growing resemblance to a sleigh became undeniable. The ramshackled cart mirrored that of Dr. Seuss’
Grinch Who Stole Christmas, more than Santa’s high-class ride. For a moment I glanced around looking for a small dog to strap antlers to, but there was no time to waste. There was a cart full of cheer to deliver.
As I made my appointed rounds, The Lodges became a “Bah Humbug” free zone. Pure joy erupted in every run. The “Lodges” area of Best Friends is where dogs needing to be housed singly or in twos live. There are certain advantages to being a Lodge Dog. Without a pack to fight with, cookies and toys can be distributed with ease. For the Lodge Dogs this day would be packed full of extra play. For me it suddenly became about unbridled fun!
Who could have dreamed that so many of the animals would receive such unadulterated joy form a simple new toy? Everywhere merriment took over. Even the idlest dogs morphed, becoming like children on Christmas morning. Each played with the gifts in their own special ways. Some tossed their toys skyward and twirled them around, like a scene from the Nut Cracker, accentuated with dust and drool. Others rolled on them, flopping gracelessly on their backs like fish out of water. Several trotted in circles proudly showing their present off to the world. “Look at me!”
Tex surprised me most of all. This big hound mix stands as tall as a sleigh and his coat glows as red as Rudolf’s nose. My choice was obvious. I’d give him his own reindeer toy. Tex ’s tough-guy image melted away. First, his new stuffy received a tender bath. Next it was tucked softly under his chin for safe keeping. Later, as afternoon rains darkened the sky, Tex gently carried his toy into his lodge. Together they napped for hours side by side. For my precious Tex , I had chosen wisely.
Truth be told, in every case I took my toy selection duties much too seriously. Dahlila, The Lodges unofficial princess/mascot, had to have the cheerleader teddy bear and Valentine something pink, of course. Whitney, the pretty pittie, always loves frogs. Who knows why? As for Meatball (a.k.a. The Meat Head), all the Caregivers agreed; the biggest, silliest, stuffed bunny was a must for the biggest, silliest, rottweiler to ever grace our universe. The absurd site of floppy eared duo together brought tears of laughter to my eyes. It was another perfect match.
Admittedly my darker side selected the dog who would receive a toy resembling a certain traveling gnome. Zeus! The gnome must go to Zeus. No doubt the gnome would meet a quick end. The forlorn looking Zeus’s primary joy in life is disemboweling stuffed toys, but that thought gave me satisfaction. To me the gnome represented ever airport security guard to ever riffle through my luggage. Within seconds, his head traveled west. His left foot took flight in the direction of Denver. Stuffing coated the run like new-fallen snow. Zeus and I were both quite satisfied.
As for the snowman? It was with an equally twisted mindset that I tossed him in with Deja – a lanky wolf hybrid. Despite my glee at playing Santa, the snowman’s grin vexed me a tad. Yet, much to my dismay the carrot-nosed doll emerged victorious! Deja played with his new toy most of the morning, causing no harm. As my shift ended they both sat in the dog run looking quite pleased with themselves. I had to giggle. Just like Tex, Deja has also proven himself to be a gentle giant. Deja vu! It would appear I had been the clueless one. Of course, I’d never gotten to my coffee.
Few words are adequate enough to describe the happiness brought to the Lodge Dogs that day. Be it tossing toys around rambunctiously or carrying one off for a nap, this was a diversion from their routine – something new. You could literally feel their spirits lift ever higher. Watching these antics was both a privilege and my holiday miracle. To think, the magic of this early Christmas cheer was given by a caring group of strangers, two selfless kids and a slow “yard sail.” Simple acts of kindness know no bounds. Here’s hoping we all capture that spirit throughout the coming New Year!
Written and photographed by Best Friends Dog Caregiver Nola L. Kelsey-Anderson.