Wart: Hey, Fisher, you seem perky today.
Fisher: I am. It is the grand finale of year 2008.
Wart: What is that crazy song She keeps singing?
Fisher: Auld Lang Syne.
Wart: What the heck does that mean?
Fisher: It just asks us to think about what we want to take into the New Year.
Wart: Oh. I don’t get it.
Fisher: Should old friends be forgotten and never brought to mind? And should days of the past be forgotten, also? It just means we need think about things to let go of and move on with memories of all that is good about the Old Year.
Wart: I am beginning to think I need to quit asking so many questions. I hope you aren’t going to forget about me!
Fisher: I am going to forget that you are constantly disturbing my naps, but I will not forget how much I really love you. That’s all. Get it?
Wart: I think I do. I will forget to wake you up all the time and I will remember how much I love you too.
Fisher: Happy New Year, Wart.
Wart: Happy New Year, Fisher. What do you think…? Oh, never mind. Have a great nap!
Happy New Year everyone!
I have survived the Christmas holidays and now I am wondering how on earth I am going to get through the big New Years Eve party my humans are planning. I remember last year when people seemed to ring the doorbell for hours on end, and then the loud music and raucous merriment until all hours of the morning. I try hard to be sociable and calm, but it is not always that easy. What’s a fella to do?
Andy
Dear Andy,
Some of us are lucky enough to have our people go out instead of inviting a lot of people for this very special celebration. I know that it is the eve of a whole new beginning – another year to make good on all those resolutions and such. But, it can get a little out of hand sometimes, and I encourage you to look after your own safety. Your people are likely kind and good-hearted, but sometimes even the best of intentions can cause their pets harm. OK, I will say it. Pets can even take on some very neurotic tendencies when such parties happen in their domain.
But, let us face some facts about pets and holiday hoopla. Some of you will be all into it and just enjoy the heck out of it. Some of you will take the hidey-ho attitude and show how aloof you really can get. Then, there are those who get completely fritzed out and will likely end up sequestered to your own private area of the house, if they are lucky. Overall, the most important thing is that your people keep you in mind at all times during the celebration.
Just because there are now gobs of guests in the house, it is still your home, too, and safety precautions must be kept. Many of the rules apply to almost all holidays. For example, the No Chocolate or Alcohol rules must be enforced. And I just heard of a new one: avoid eating aluminum foil and plastic wrap! Funny, I personally would never have thought of that.
There are things to do ahead of time to prevent dangers and mishaps:
- Consider a micro-chip. There are usually more lost pets than usual after New Years. No matter how much you want to run out that door to find solace, consider the consequences.
- Your people can schedule some time out with you into their merriment. A nice walk around the block with your human can be very calming for both of you. After all, the abundance of noise is now inside the housel
- If at the stroke of midnight, your people likely know of at least one person who will bring fireworks. They should make a huge effort to see that you are comfortable inside, preferably tucked into the Master’s bed. It will not hurt a thing if they should also place some tasty pet treats on the nightstand. Hey, live it up!
Check out a very comprehensive article on Holiday and Seasonal Hazards from the American Dog Trainers Network. Your safety is important. Also of great importance is the fact that before 12 midnight, there are no new resolutions to worry about. Have a very happy new year!
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay
Out There weekend edition
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From your friend,
Fisher
Wart: She’s in there again!
Fisher: There is a lot to do for the Holidays.
Wart: Yeah, but, rustle, rustle, rustle. What now?
Fisher: Gifts to sort out and tags to put on.
Wart: For me? For me?
Fisher: Maybe.
Wart: What can it be? How many gifts do I get?
Fisher: Depends on how good you are.
Good indeed! Holidays can be the most fun for our people because they know that we know if we are good we will likely get more gifts. Some of the best are gifts they make themselves. My own personal favorite is when She buys baby socks and catnip. She stuffs the catnip in the sock and then sews it up so we can toss it around and get spit all over it. Then, of course, this smelly sock makes a perfect pillow when we get the sudden impulse to snooze.
Many of my friends tell me their people make home made treats! There are recipes for pet treats all over the internet. Check it out. Get that Temp to print them, and strategically place them around the house.
Store bought stuff is great, too, but remember, not all toys are safe – choose wisely and visit the Humane Society of the United States for best advice and inspiration. Not much time left!
Fisher: Oh, and hey, Wart. I found the video that will explain why we were not invited to help with the gift wrapping!
Wart: Hey Fisher, why is She mad at me?
Fisher: She let you test the new organic catnip and got your approval.
Wart: Yeah, well….
Fisher: You kind of outdid yourself this year.
Wart: I did the job I was asked to do!
Fisher: She was happy about that, but not happy She had to re-wrap the catnip gifts 3 times.
Wart: Where are the gifts now?
Fisher: Wrapped, triple bagged, and in the freezer.
Wart: Oh.
There is a fine art to wrapping presents with pets in the house. Some of us are not very helpful.
Whether you are a cat or a dog, your people must plan carefully. They must assemble all necessary wrapping materials and commit to not leaving the area until all gifts are wrapped and properly put out of our reach.
We all know this interferes with some of the most fun we have during the season. But do not lose hope – remember last year when the gift opening happened and no one was paying attention to you? All the fixins for fun just strewn on the floor waiting for you to explore? It is going to happen again soon!
And just in case you need a refresher: The Difference Between Wrapping Presents with Dogs & Cats – by Brandon James.
