Many folks have been asking, so without further ado, it is time for Dad’s Christmas gift reveal! For those who are new to this tradition, Dad has a history of giving Mom practical gifts. In the past he has given Mom toilet seats (he’d want me to emphasize they weren’t just any toilet seats, but the soft close kind), a frying pan, and gutter guards for the rain gutters which were also a gift for a different occasion, just to name a few of his well thought out gifts. This year though Dad gave the BEST gift ever – ME!

I had quite a few trips to the animal hospital this year, numerous scans and tests, an extended stay in the ER, and I’m on a variety of medicines. All that added up, especially evident when the receptionist at the animal hospital asked, “which card on file would you like us to use?” Therefore I became the most expensive gift under the tree this year! However, if you ask Mom, I’m priceless. And Dad agrees that I’m worth every penny, which is really saying something since they stopped minting pennies because they were too expensive to make!

The gift of me is also unique because it is only the third time that Dad has given the same gift more than once. The first was the repeat of the vacuum, which my fur may have broke the original one. The second were snow tires, but he waited 11 years before giving them again. And third is a handmade card featuring me! One of my surgeries was on Mom’s birthday, so he presented her with this card, labeling a few of my medical expenses over the years. He gave her this card again on Christmas Day. Please note these diagnoses were NOT all in the past year, but instead over the course of my 11 years.

In case you have trouble reading his handwriting, here is another version that you can zoom in on. Also note in addition to this covering 11 years of vet visits, it doesn’t include the many lumps and bumps that are being monitored.

I realized giving the same card twice was a little tacky. So it was my idea to add the big bow to surprise Mom on Christmas morning!