Dear Santa,
Whatever she says, it wasn’t me.
I’ve been a good girl. Honest.
I may…possibly… have not been good quite all year. Starting with the turkey theft accident last Christmas Day… and she didn’t really need the rest of the smoked salmon…. Well… it was Christmas… and she couldn’t have eaten all that in one go. I didn’t want to see it go to waste, you understand. Or to her waist.
I know my duties.
I’ve warned off the postman when he comes, seen off the Ginger Tom next door, dealt with all the aerial invasions… you know, birds, helicopters, hot air balloons… But I promise not to bark at you when you come.
You are coming, aren’t you?
I buried some brie under the cushions for Rudolph again but she must have eaten it, ‘cause it’s not there now.
Just so you know, I’m down to the last three tennis balls.
And I’d still really, really like that tennis ball launcher for when she’s busy. I’ve saved up some towards it from my book… would you like a copy to take home for Mrs Santa? My paws are nice and muddy so I could sign it for you!
Can I ask you something a bit personal, Santa?
Do you hibernate?
Through summer, I mean…
I just wondered, you know. Or do you get time off instead to go on holiday? ‘Cause I know you work Christmas. Mind, bringing smiles has to be the best job in the world.
Or are you too busy time travelling to get everywhere you need to be so it’s always Christmas for you?
And do you get a Christmas dinner? Or just the mince pies and sherry everyone leaves out? I suppose there is fruit in them… she makes me eat vegetables you know. Says they are good for me… until I release the results under her nose.
Then she just calls me a horrible dog and screws her face up.
Mind, she screws it up at the stuff I find in the woods too. Nothing wrong with the odd dead pheasant in my eyes.
Speaking of feathered things, she’s put that bird back on the Christmassy Tree thing. I promise I’ll leave it alone this year… as long as it stays still. That’s how I knew you were coming. But I am going to keep a close watch on it all the same. Can’t have birds out of control here!
Anyway, I think it might be time to hide… If she doesn’t realise by now I understand every word she says then she still has a lot to learn… I know what ‘deodorising dog shampoo’ means! She can smile as much as she likes… she’ll have to catch me first!
Happy Christmas to you and the Elves.
And Mrs Santa.
And the reindeer.
Much love,
Ani xxx
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
love it!
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Thank you 🙂
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Bonnie, Nan, Amber and Bishop send kindest regards. They would send tennis ball, but mean old mom won’t let them 😛
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You can’t sacrifice the Balls anyway… but thank you 🙂
Have a good Christmas!
Much love, Ani xxx
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Hope all your wishes come true, Ani!
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So do I 🙂
Much love, Ani xxx
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Those eyes 🙂
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… every time 😉
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You’m got booful eyes, Ani. Me meet you soon. Love and licks, Jumble. xxx
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Aw Jumble… I’m blushing under this fur…
It would be nice to finally meet you 🙂
Have a loverly Christmas
Much love,
Ani xxx
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I adore this dog…such soulful eyes. (His humour’s not bad either!) or is he a she? Either way, I hope all of you have a happy time…
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Ani is most definitely female… except in the books, where ‘he’ is ‘Anu’… and I’m not sure she has forgiven us for that 😉
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Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes and commented:
Ani reminds us all to include our animal friends in all the fun this Christmas!
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I love it 🙂
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Thank you Arlene 🙂
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Oh Ani…I wish for you a Christmas filled with tennis balls, turkey, salmon, great stinky stuff, and lots of love. And lots of love for your humans. Sam.Cat has promised to not climb the Christmas.sy tree. He sends hugs and love to you. P.s. I think Santa spends some vacation in Florida. When I was down there this summer, I saw a man with a jelly tummy, flowing white beard, and huge smile napping by the hotel pool. His swimming trunks were bright red.
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Ooh thank you, Kanzen!
Tell SamCat not to make rash promises… the urge might be too strong to resist 🙂
Florida? That’s the summer country, isn’t it? With teeth, I think…
Much love, Ani xxx
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and moe-skeetoes bigger than hummingbirds. Santa is a brave soul but I guess after all he does, he deserves a rest by the pool with one of those umbrella drinks. Hey Ani…..you tie cans to Ginger’s tail and I’ll tie cans to Doggy’s tail…jingle all the way, hey? But I guess we have to be good. Much love…SamCat….
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Ah… I know about the buzzy things.. I catch ’em when I can 🙂
D’you ‘spose we’d get away with the cans after Santa has called? There must be an amnesty for being not so good the rest of Christmas day 🙂 xxx
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There is Boxing Day. We could change it to Canning Day. Do you think? And plenty of time to get back in good for next Christmas. ♡♡♡
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Yeahhhh 😉
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Yeahhh…… you and me Ani!
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I love that top picture. Our last dog, Elliot, used to steal vegetables off of the table and counter. Not that he was above taking salmon or turkey, mind, just that he also loved his veggies. (I once reached half way down his throat to get back a raw tenderloin, but that’s another story)
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She likes fruit, not so much the veggies…
and this was the WHOLE turkey… 😉 Seems to be a theme with my dogs. The last pair used to work in tandem… one would distract, the other help themselves…
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A lovely letter to Santa, Ani. I doubt he can overlook a sweet dog like you. ❤
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Hope not 🙂 xxx
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~(~_*)~~
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HI Ani! We think you are quite the companion and all the things you do for your owner! You should get a dozen tennis balls and the launcher for Christmas this year. Sending you best wishes for lots of goodies to eat! Love from Elijah Moon (the dryer-sleeping cat) and Angel (the bouncing terrier)
PS We both love salmon, too.
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Hi Angel and Elijah Moon… the thing is, salmon tastes different when they give it to you… when you borow theirs it is a whole lot better… but I was a bit worried Santa might not think so…
He is a two-legs after all 😉
Much love,
Ani xxx
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trust me, ani. the elves and santa know that it is your people who are the troublemakers. we will be happy to pay a nice visit to you on christmas eve. you’ve earned it!
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Whew… I was getting worried 😉
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Adorable! 🙂
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She is 🙂
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It’s amazing how dogs pick up on their owner’s moods. If you ever get to see a production of the play “Miss Witherspoon,” check it out. The protag reincarnates as a dog, and for once, she’s able to live in the moment. Sad and beautiful.
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I’ll look out for it; it isn’t one I’ve seen, Mike. Dogs are special creatures.. the empathy between them and their humans is remarkable. If you haven’t seen Dean Spanley with Peter O’Toole that also is well worth a look.
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Adorable! 🙂
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Charming! You just made my a.m., Sue. Thank you!
What a pretty pup.
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She is, Jamie… and a very clever one too 🙂
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Oh, Ani, I do hope you get that tennis ball launcher. What fun! I’m sure Sue remembers your many good days and not just the ones where turkey and salmon are no longer on the menu just because a small dog took a liking to them. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Ani, and Sue. 😉
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Hope so Judy… 🙂
Hav a lovely holiday and a wonderful new year 🙂 x
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Oh, this is another wonderful letter Ani. I don’t think Santa will resist a quick visit with you. AND now you are published I know what to add to my Christmas list to santa 🙂
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Ooooh… thank you 🙂
Happy Christmas,
Much love,
Ani xxx
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