Dog's Life

Holiday Tails

By Maria Estrella

Eddie Navo and his energetic German Shepherd-Greyhound mix, Lady, look forward to the holidays every year. The San Diego, California residents always have something to celebrate, and last year’s festivities were no exception.

“We never miss driving down to ‘Candy Cane Lane’ [an annual attraction of lights] in Chula Vista come Christmastime,” Navo says. “And with Lady to share the sights with, it doesn’t get any better. I’ll ask Lady if she wants to go out and ‘see the lights.’ She immediately knows what that means! She’ll run around and chase her tail in anticipation before we get into the car. Seeing her reaction is what really grabs my attention.”

But of all the festivities that occur during the yuletide season, Navo looks forward to Christmas morning with Lady the most. “No matter how early I get up, Lady is already waiting for me by our tree, ears perked and all. I used to give her doggie treats, but she has a knack for sniffing out her gifts. I’ve been giving her various kinds of chew toys and giant bones as gifts instead. That way, we get to open our gifts together.”

For San Francisco, California resident Anna Chan, her holidays wouldn’t be the same without her Miniature Schnauzer-Poodle mix, Sophie, even if it means celebrating al fresco during the cold weather. Chan says, “During Sophie’s first Thanksgiving, we went out for dinner. We were bundled in jackets and ate on the patio at a nice restaurant by the beach. I just couldn't have Thanksgiving dinner without her!” During Christmas, Anna and Sophie also gather around their tree and open presents together.

It isn’t too hard to imagine that Chan and Sophie have plenty of fun-filled holiday seasons still ahead of them. Whether you’re home for the holidays or out and about, the season is always merrier when spent with your favorite four-legged pal!