Florida folks behave strangely this time of year. We hang fake icicles from eaves, despite being thrilled to live in a climate that doesn’t have real ones. We drag a tree inside, and get urges to dress in red and green. Sometimes, we really get carried away… like last year when we bought that adorable elf hat at the pet store…
Scott offered the cap for Hobbit to smell. “Look at this elf hat we got you. Isn’t it cool?”
“Elf hat? What’s an elf?” Hobbit sniffed. “You want to put it where? No, this is definitely not cool.”
“Get it off of me. Quick… it swallowed my ears!”
“It’s off. Calm down. I’ll take you for a piggy back ride to make up for it,” Scott cooed.
“I’m calm. I’m cool. I wasn’t rattled.” Hobbit blusters. “A piggy back ride you say?” He climbed on Scott’s back. “Is this all there is to this ride? It’s sorta lame, don’t ya think?”
“Well, I can raise up a little. How’s this?” Scott asked.
“Ho hum. Bor-r-i-i-n-g.” Hobbit yawned.
“How about now? You’re almost as tall as the angel, although referring to you and an angel in the same breath is laughable,” Scott muttered.
“Y-you-you can pu-u-t me down now,” Hobbit sputtered.
(Yes, Virginia, Jack Russells do show fear, but Hobbit asks that you keep that to yourself.)
“Let’s settle down for an old fashioned Christmas tale,” Scott said. ” That’s good pooches. Ready? ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house …”
“Dad?”
“Yes, Hobbit.”
“Is this a long story?”
“No, now be still. ‘Twas the night before Christmas…”
“Ahem, Dad?”
“What is it now, Hobbit?”
“Is it scary?”
“No, it is not. Is that all?”
“Does it have Scrooge in it? I heard he’s bad news.”
“No, Scrooge is not in it. It’s about a jolly old elf,” Scott growled.
“Elf, you say? Is that the same elf that wears the dorky hat?” Hobbit smirked.
“No, it’s a bigger elf! Now, do you want to hear this story or not? Your sister left ten minutes ago.”
“Yeah, yeah, don’t have a coronary. I’m listening.”
“Good. ‘Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the house; not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,” Scott continued.
and all through the house; not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,” Scott continued.
“Mouse?” Hobbit jumped up, hackles raised. He darted from corner to corner with his nose jammed to the floor. “Let me at it! Where is it? I don’t see it. Dad, are you yanking my chain?”
Scott sighed and called it a night.
