Santa Pup Treats

Last week, my 6 yr.old granddaughter drew a picture of my two King Charles Cavalier dog’s Christmas List. Chew toys, biscuits, a toothbrush, squeaky toys, a Reindeer ears head band and a Christmas Sweater. They got some real doggie treats tied up with a bow during the family gift exchange.

Today, I heard on the news that the US Government has been tracking Santa on his Christmas Eve travels through NORAD- the North American Aerospace Defense Command. They activated their Santa Tracker where kids and adults can follow Santa’s sleigh all over the world. He was in Russia this morning, but gets around the world to deliver gifts and delight families. It dates back to a typo in a Sears Christmas Ad and a call from a child to an Air Force officer know as Santa Colonel on Christmas Eve 1955.  Each year, volunteers staff a special call center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to update children who call 1-877-Hi-NORAD from all over the world on Santa’s location.

Now, Amelia and Lily don’t watch TV or know what Santa is doing today.  I don’t usually keep dibs on him, myself. We will all sit back on the sofa tonight and watch Hallmark Christmas movies or traditional Christmas shows- we have to see the old Rudolph with Burl Ives and It’s a Wonderful Life each year. They take precedent over anything else that’s on at the time.

I just think it was very sweet that one little girl who waits for Santa all year long, wondering quietly if she is on the “naughty or nice” list and goes to bed early to wake up early- thinks about making a special wish list for the two family pups. We always opened “presents” from family on Christmas Eve and then Santa came that night to deliver his special gifts on Christmas morning. There’s nothing that can top the look of joy and wonder on a child’s face as they come downstairs to the Christmas tree to see what “Santa” brought them.  The smell of homemade chocolate cake and chocolate pies still wafting in the air brings back sweet memories.  I still believe in the beauty and magic of Christmas, starting with the birth of Jesus.