Well, it is all hotting up around here! Not the weather, mind you. She’s still shivering. You’d think she’d let her coat grow instead of taking to razor thing to half of it, but I’d best not mention that. All I can say is she needn’t think she’s shaving my paws! Bad enough whenshe wants to trim the long fur on them. Hasn’t she got the sense to realise I have very ticklish pads?

I wonder if reindeer have ticklish toes? If I run into Rudolph, I’ll have to ask him. She says my paws look big enough for reindeer now the fur needs trimming. Well, if we are going to have more snow, what’s good enoug for Donner and Blitzen and the gang is good enough for me.Those reindeer put in some mileage, getting Santa around.

Speaking of Santa, I had a letter from Millie…her two-legs is K.L. Caley. Millie is obviously a dog with literary leanings and has read some of the same poetry as me. Her poem put me in mind of the one I wrote this time last year, based on the same old favourite, about when we got a visit too… though not from a mouse… or even Santa Claus…

Much love, Ani xxx

The night before Christmas

Mille ( and K.L. Caley)

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse

“What a mouse? Not on my watch
I guard this house each day
A mouse would never sneak past me
…no way”

Ah-hem, where was I? Oh yeah!
The hoover monster was back in his lair
The house smells of berries
And she’s even washed my hair!

We’ve laid out cheese and biscuits
(I’m sure Santa’s sick of mince pies)
And a carrot for Rudolph
So he can see through the dark skies

I snuggled down tightly
Dreamland calling me home
My eyes growing heavy
Waiting for Santa to come

I woke with a start
It was dark now you see
The lights had gone off
From the Christmas Tree

But I’d heard a rustle
Coming from a branch or two
I decided to creep forward
Like any brave dog would do

Shadows filled the room
Big and black in the dark
One of them had big teeth
I let out a bark

“Stop! Stop!”
A squeaky voice cried
It was a mouse in my house
It gave me such a surprise

“I’m sorry. I’m so hungry…
All I wanted was a little cheese”
Those big pleading eyes
Shone up at me

“Well… just this once”
I suppose Santa won’t care
If he has a little less cheese
On his visit to here

All of a sudden
Was a bang and a whoosh
There where the mouse was
Stood Santa is his suit

Congratulations Millie
You passed my little test
You made Santa very happy
That you know sharing is best

The world needs to learn
That it’s important to share
And give to those less fortunate
Showing someone does care

When you fall back asleep
You’ll wake with a surprise
An extra special prezzie
From your favourite red-suited guy!

About the author

K. L. Caley has wanted to be a writer since she was around 7 years old. She writes, “I remember the first story I ever wrote and showed to anyone was about my pet hamster and my brothers’ pet mouse flying on holiday using my grans pet budgie to “Hamstertit”. The inspiration behind this story was my own family holiday to Estartit that summer. Hopefully my writing has evolved a little since then.”

Find and follow K.L. Caley

New2writing Blog    Goodreads 

Antlers are for Reindeer!

If you would like to help save Ani from a fate (she says) worse than death, send your Letters to Santa, festive memories, short stories, flash fiction or poems to the Small Dog. She will post them every day through December until Christmas.

She would especially like to hear from her four-legged or feathered friends (she has a special place very close to her heart for turkeys)… but she says that two-legs are better than none, so she will accept submissions from humans too.

To get in touch, please use the form on the contact page or you can email Ani at findme@scvincent.com