Is That Dog Wearing Antlers?!

Of course he is! Who else could pull off the reindeer in the family Christmas photo if not Rudolph the red-nosed dachshund?

Oh what we ask of our pets at the holidays. While it may be difficult to get the antsy toddler to sit still in her crinoline petticoats, trying to get a cat to pose while wearing a lighted collar and Santa hat is really asking too much. And yet we do.

We ask our pets to be props and characters, to look at the camera, to smile. And bless their hearts, they do. Or they try. They try to figure out why everyone is just standing around and why they have to stand around, too. Okay, they seem to say. If that’s what you want, just keep that kibble coming…

Click! Pretty good photo, but grandpa has his eyes closed and the puppy was, um, well, take her outside and we’ll try this again.

It’s worth the trouble, though. Some of our lives are remembered in large part by the animals that have shared them with us.

Holiday cards past show the calico in the stroller with the new baby; the collie who patiently allowed us to braid her hair ala Bo Derek in “10”; the pony who was forced to play a donkey in the church nativity. Imagine the humiliation.

Bless the patience of the critters we’ve subjected to our human whims. Or maybe honor the memory of those who have made their way to the Rainbow Bridge by something more than a photograph. Perhaps a one-of-a-kind pet memorial pendant, a sweet reminder of the loyal dog with the gentle smile…and lopsided green felt elf hat.

Gosh that was a great picture.