What a weird day.

It started off really well. Everyone slept in and snuggled on the bed. For some strange reason Mommy and Daddy are both home. How cool is that?

So, Smudgie and I snuggled on the couch after with Daddy and watched TV while Mommy did some laundry and plunked away on that silly piano. Then, we all had to stand in silence by the TV at eleven o'clock. It was hard for me. They wouldn't let me wander and no one talked. I heard something about Remembrance Day, but I'm not sure what I'm supposed to remember, so I just tried to be as good a dog as I could.

After it was over, Mommy and Daddy talked quietly for a bit. I think it had something to do with the moment of silence stuff, but I'm not really sure. This is all new to me.

Then Mommy said, "Let the Christmas Season begin!"

Daddy went to the basement and brought up this big, funny smelling, pretend tree. Mommy said that it's not the peeing on kind. (Seriously? What other kinds of trees are there?) They put it together and hung all sorts of coloured lights and ornaments and stuff on it. I stole some of the stuffed animal type things, but Mommy kept saying no. What a meanie!

So now it's taking up one whole corner of the room...but the nice thing is that they set it up right across from my kennel. I can keep an eye on it all day long while I'm imprisoned in there.

But I should get back to my story, because then the sweetest thing happened.

Mommy pulled out a purple sock (she says it's a Christmas stocking, but I know a sock when I see one!) and she hung it on the front of the fireplace. She said it was Smudgie's Christmas Stocking. His very own. I was so sad that HE got one and I didn't.

Then Mommy brought out this beautiful off white sock with green leaves on it (she says they're called holly) and said, "Merry Christmas Rudy. This is your very own Christmas Stocking."

I've never had my very own Christmas Stocking before. I don't even know what they are...but I do know that even I couldn't get that thing all the way into my tummy. Anyway, she and Daddy gave me hugs and pats and then we all went over to the fireplace and there was a little nail on the mantle, and she hung my stocking up there too, right next to Smudgie's.

I have a Christmas Stocking. This must be just one more great thing that comes with having a family. A Christmas Stocking for little old me...and one that kind of matches my collar and everything, too.

Daddy says Mommy's crazy and that it's too soon for this Christmas thing. I don't know about that, but I sure am glad I didn't have to wait any longer for my very own Christmas stocking.

And then, just when I thought this day couldn't get any better....

Big fluffy snowflakes started to fall.

Merry Christmas to all!

Rudy (proud stocking owner)