For years I have been haunted by an innocent mistake I made as a puppy.  I stole Santa’s hat.  When I was a mere pup of 11 months old, Mom and Dad took me to get my picture taken with Santa, and let’s just say I got a bit overly excited.  Come on, who hasn’t overreacted when meeting a celebrity?  Long story short, Mom and Dad left the mall that day with a photo of Santa looking slightly disheveled while holding me in a very firm grip.  Since that time, every Christmas that photo is proudly displayed while Mom and Dad laugh about that fateful visit.  Geez, I was just a puppy barely out of obedience school!  Cut a dog some slack!

Well this year Mom and Dad decided it was time for me redeem myself in Santa’s eyes.  After all I am a mature four year old dog, and the perfect example of obedience.  But how should I go about it?  Should I apologize for attempting to steal his hat oh so many years ago?  Nah!  Santa’s old, and probably forgot all about it since then.  Instead I decided I would play it cool, and simply ask for a bacon scented squeaky ball.  When we arrived at the mall I couldn’t help but notice my tummy felt like I ate butterflies again.  That’s weird, butterflies aren’t around in December.  Determined to redeem myself, I took my place in line with the other dogs.

I knew it was important to stay focused and not behave badly like some of the other dogs in line.  Some were barking, some were wrestling, and one even got so excited that she peed in the mall!  But not me!  I obediently sat by Dad’s side.  Some shoppers even commented that I was the best behaved dog there, and they were right!  The entire time I kept practicing what I would say to Santa, “I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.  I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.  I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.”  Why were we waiting so long?  My paws began to sweat.

My new best friend Chesney, who was next in line behind me, couldn’t help but notice I was a bit nervous, and asked me what was wrong.  I explained to him my situation.  After he stopped laughing, he told me not to worry.  According to Chesney, Santa is a forgiving soul who doesn’t hold grudges.  Perhaps I should have mentioned to Chesney that first Christmas I also defended my home against Santa when he came bursting in unannounced at midnight?  Nah!  Look at that smile on Santa’s face as he greeted the other dogs.  Chesney was right.  Santa could never be mad at ME!

Finally it was my turn!  I continued to practice my request as I followed Santa’s Helper, “I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.  I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.  I want a bacon scented squeaky ball.”  That’s when lightening struck twice!  I don’t know if it was his overwhelming scent of peppermint, or just my nerves getting the better of me at meeting such an important person, but once again I couldn’t resist the lure of that silly pompom hat he wears!  As I flew through the air aiming for Santa’s hat, the sights and sounds of the mall were just a blur, all I could focus on was that magnificent red fuzzy hat!  But this time Santa was prepared.  He quickly wrestled me into place, the Elf snapped a picture, and Mom apologized profusely to Santa.  It all happened so fast I didn’t even get a chance to ask him for my bacon scented squeaky ball!

Like that fateful visit four years earlier, once again we left the mall with my head hung low and Mom and Dad in possession of another embarassing photo of me with Santa.  Oh and in case you’re wondering where was Asa during all of this?  He opted to stay home, because Mr. Goody Paws posed perfectly with Santa last year, and he didn’t want to be associated with me!  Some brother he is…