Our only son’s family, four hours away (Twin Cities), moved to a new neighborhood Thanksgiving week, so they didn’t come down this year as they’d planned. They were here the Thanksgiving of 2024, but I was ailing (with what was diagnosed as Crohn’s six months later) and not a very fun grandma. Friend Lynne had sent darling paper dolls which Kate (then age seven) and I enjoyed playing with. She even came up with a play to act out and record.
That week our lighted half tree was in the front window atop Great Grandma Laura Goff’s old library table, but it had no decorations on it. Kate’s brown eyes (hazel, she insists) perked up when I asked if she’d like to decorate it. Out came her dad’s old Cub Scouts ornaments and ones her grammie made long ago, even small frames with photos of Kate’s great grandmas. Son Dan even got in on the activity, recognizing relics from his childhood.
Even from a step ladder the top of the tree was hard for a seven-year-old to reach. The star kinda leaned to the left, but I loved it that way so it stayed through Christmas, 2024.
2025 – Welcome to the new neighborhood?
Early this month, just two weeks after Dan’s family moved in to a new neighborhood, daughter-in-law Renee took aging rescue dog Luna for a walk. Luna was attacked by two pit bulls. Renee ended up in urgent care for a very bruised thumb, and Dan at the vet with Luna. Luna needed several stitches and one wound was deep enough it needed a drain. Dan and Luna got home at 2 am. Luna is still in recovery but a more comfortable wrap-around to keep her from licking wounds has replaced the horrid cone.
(Another woman had tried to help in the pit bull attack. She got bit and turned in the owners, who live a block away. They haven’t heard more from animal control, yet.)
So we’re having a quiet Christmas this year, savoring our cozy home and each other, thanking God for his gift of the birth of the Christ Child!
—–
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. – Luke 2:11
We’re having a quiet Christmas too. Miss the kids but we are all so far apart. The love is stil there. I hope the grandpup will be OK. Sending best wishes to all. xo
Bless you, Darlene. We anticipate a phonecall later today!
Merry Christmas, and best wishes for Luna’s recovery.
Thank you, Dan. Luna had been abused so ever since Dan’s family have had her, several years, she’s still so needy. She’s not really happy unless they are all home. She stayed with me once so the rest could go to church (Dan’s home church when he was a kid) and Luna watched the front door nearly the whole time. She’s really his wife’s dog but Luna prefers Dan!
Our last dog was like that. She had neurological issues and couldn’t stand to be alone. We have a fenced in yard but we had to take her outside on a leash to do her business.
It must take special people to adopt such a needy dog.
We didn’t know. We got her as a puppy, but she didn’t develop normally. The vet we had at the time told us we were in for a rough ride, but we loved that dog, and she lived happily with us. Being so close to her made it even harder to say goodbye. We miss her very much.
You gave your pet her very best life. I’ve got a blog post scheduled for next month about dog stories, three of them.
Merry Christmas, Joy!
Thank you, Tim. Merry Christmas to you!
Christmas blessings, Joy. May they fall on you and Guy with abundance!
Thank you, Gail. To you and your family as well!
We’re having a quiet Christmas, too, just the way we like it!
We do too, but I’d sure like some time with a certain 8-year-old–before she becomes a teenager!
I can understand that! Christmas was more fun when our daughter was still a child.
Merry Christmas!
Blessings to you as well!
Hugs and love to you! <3
To you as well, Annette. Bless you.
We like our Christmases quiet, too. Poor Luna. Not a good thing to happen to a timid dog.
Loved the photo of Guy with Santa!
Guy is a Vietnam vet with Parkinson’s. His symptoms have deepened so he’s moved up his next appointment to January 9. I’m so thankful he can still play his trumpet! Spring practice begins in March. Thank you, Eilene.
Christmas is a blessing, even if family time is subdued or nonexistent. We can be thankful for it.
You bet, Tim! We had leftovers, did some laundry, took two moseys, and a family from church sang carols and visited in the evening. A perfect day.
Merry Christmas, Joy, a day late! I am so sorry to hear about your family’s dog being attacked. What a scary scary thing to have happen. To feel so vulnerable outside and that it’s hard to protect yourself and your beloved pet. I finally joined BookBub and want to put my reviews of your books up there. If you don’t see them before too long don’t feel shy about reminding me!
Hurrah for BookBub! Thank you, Luanne, with your comments about Luna. Her stitches are out and she’s allowed to climb up to a favorite spot to rest, but prefers to take a walk in the opposite direction of where they encountered the pit bulls.
She will never forget what happened to her, poor thing. My husband likes to watch old Judge Judy episodes while I read ;), and whenever one of the somebody’s dog or cat was attacked, I make him change the channel. HORRIBLE.
Luanne, she’s still dealing with how she was treated before they adopted her.
Oh, that’s so sad. I don’t know if you remember when my husband and I were volunteering regularly at the shelter (for the cats), and it was so sad to see how people mess up animals.
Yes, and you have such a soft heart for them.
Breaks my heart.
Thank you for reviewing Our Wolves on BookBub, Joy! Woot!
You’re so welcome. I’ll add review to any you share there, and they’re easy to share on Twitter/X. Interaction with other authors seems easier there as well.
Thank you, Joy!!!
Merry Christmas, Joy and Guy. In our family, Christmas was never over after December 25. The season continued through Epiphany, well into January. May the spirit of “the Christmas season” be with you throughout the year. Love, cousin Bob
Blessings to you and Lisa as well, Bob. Thank you!
I hope you and Guy had a Merry Christmas, Joy. Your daughter-in-law is fortunate the pit bulls didn’t attack her in their viscous frenzy. Poor Luna! I hope Santa Dan spoils her. 🙂
Another woman who tried to intervene was bit. She turned the owners into animal control, so things are in process. Santa Dan is spoiling both Renee and Luna!
Good! 🐶