I love to include Rosie in our Christmas celebrations. After all, she is family, too. However, I have to take steps to keep her safe during the holidays.

1. Christmas Tree and Decorations

I haven’t got a tree since I have Rosie. My daddy doesn’t let me have one, nor electric stuff or candles in the house. ‘It is too dangerous’, he said – no objection. My Mom, who is the Queen of Christmas Decorations, couldn’t let it go. She makes me wonderful, tiny, little trees every year. I love them, they are more than perfect (and enough).

2. Family visits

Rosie can be quite anxious around people, even if it is my family who she loves. She gets exhausted in a pretty short time, and becomes nervous and uncontrollable, just like a little kid. I’ll have to remind my family to give space to the dog and let her chill out whenever she needs it. I’m not planning long visits, and we won’t have guests. I’ll also provide her enough time for mental recovery during the holidays.

3. Christmas Meal

Oh, this is my favorite… In my family, it goes like this: ‘Look at those eyes, she is so hungry! Let her taste the cake, too! She is so cute, she put her head in my lap! She can’t wait until dinner time, it’s too much for her… We are eating, and she can’t? You are so cruel, let that dog have one bite!’ … and it goes like this on and on and on… I can’t change the ‘grandparents’, so I spent a day faffing with doggy biscuits 😀 (For reference, check the Dehydrated Dog Treats Facebook group). My plan was to prepare dog treats and biscuits that my family can give to Rosie, instead of feeding her with human food and leftovers. If nothing else works, she won’t get dinner. I’m cruel, am I not? 🙂