In Poland, I understand this is the Second Day of Christmas. Always a holiday. A continuation of celebrations. And of course, it's Boxing Day in Great Britain -- a day when the wealthy give boxes of stuff to the lower class folk. Sort of like Scrooge waking up after Christmas and feeling the guilt. Here, in the U.S., for most Christmas loving people, the 26th is just the day after. This year, as it falls on a Friday, many businesses did choose to close, turning it into (unheard of here!) a five day vacation for its employees, just for Christmas. My doggie daycare, for instance, is closed today.
Henry wakes a whole hour later. Thanks, I needed that!
It's foggy and gray and it feels wet outside. Henry doesn't mind. I suppose it seems toasty after days of Arctic air. We're to have just a couple of days above freezing. We'll plunge down again next week.
The squirrels, missing in action on the coldest days, are up and running this morning. My pooch is thrilled.
(this from our second morning walk, in daylight now)
It's ridiculous to wrap presents the day after Christmas, but this is indeed what I have to do. For the other young family. I am so grateful that all items are small! I get to it soon after breakfast.
Henry is doing a lot of napping. With a delicate snore that is totally adorable. Yesterday was intense for him. For all of us!
(a quick hug first...)
But I know he can't have a day of this. In the afternoon I take him to Penni Klein dog park, where we meet up with Goose and his family for a good romp.
It is not an easy walk for us, and it is one messy run for the dogs. There is ice, there are puddles, there is mud.
I always thought that the users of this park were less scrupulous in keeping it clean, probably because it is so underused and so you can get away with not picking up after your dog. This was certainly evident today. Still, we persevered. Henry was getting very antsy at the Edge, even though I played chase the ball with him in the apartment for quite a while (the game had me crawling to retrieve his ball from under the couch, under the bed, under the table... fun!). The run with Goose is exactly what he needs.
We survive it all. Even the barreling dogs who run toward us nearly toppling the humans again and again. As we finally head toward the exit, I can see that both pooches are muddy and sweaty and one big mess, but nothing that they can't shake off as they dry. (I hope.)
The three kids come over to my apartment after the park adventure, for a visit while their mom goes home to get their place straightened up.
(Waiting for Sandpiper to be dropped off at the Edge, the kids learn that -- according to the Edge management -- December 26th is candy-cane day!)
In many ways, my apartment is just not great for three kids of varying interests, ages, and play habits, especially when there is also a large, concerned dog in their midst, one who never has had to deal with people here. Still, sharing this space with others is high on my list of things to work on with Henry. Might as well start today. The one I am most watchful of is Sandpiper, who can still make Henry jumpy. The little boy's sudden movements scare him and so he barks, at the same time that Henry's barks scare Sandpiper.
But in fact, Henry is splendidly tolerant of the chaos. And I should say, it's not that much of a chaos.
The kids know to keep it down to a dull roar! Henry is tired, but he wont sleep. He doesn't quite trust that his world wont turn upside down if he dozes off. But he is quiet. And accepting. And that absolutely thrills me.
(Sparrow takes over my camera)
And boom! Day is done. However does that happen? Wasn't it morning just minutes ago?
My dog rests most of the evening.
Another full day! More to come tomorrow, and the next day, and the one after!
with so much love...
