Christian Author Donna Dawson
Award winning suspense novels
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Christmas is a-coming
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Our house is filled with the preparations of the season's big event. While I have been scrambling to catch up from the book signings and course teaching, Duke the Chihuahua has been doing all things possible to fill my shoes. He has proofed the print edition of "Fires of Fury" for me since he knew I couldn't and the pdf. was due to the printer's by the 21st. I think he even enjoyed reading this romance mystery. I came home a couple of times to find him curled up on the couch, manuscript tucked under one paw and tissue clutched in another. He denies the tears in those bulbous eyes and insists that Chihuahua eyes often give the appearance of being weepy. I don't, for a moment, believe the old softie. (You must promise that you won't tell him I called him a softie. It makes him think of his gums and their lack of chompers.) At other times I have scared the living fur off of him because he was deep into the mystery part and didn't hear the car pulling into the drive. I tell you, there is nothing quite like seeing a Chihuahua wrapped around the ceiling fan wearing an indignant scowl and insisting he was there on purpose looking for loose wiring. I have to admit, it does my heart good to see our dear old companion reacting to a manuscript in such a fashion. It speaks louder than words about the quality of the work. That is a writer's ultimate goal--to write a piece that hooks the reader from line one and keeps that hook firmly planted until the last word is read.
So once the manuscript was finished, Duke dove into the decorating with a passion. I let him do it all and at night, while he's snoring up a storm, I move one or two ornaments from the bottom foot of the tree to discretely cover the remaining five feet above his range of reach. I certainly don't want to hurt the pooch's feelings. It is a wee bit disconcerting to walk into the den and see the bottom third of the room completely decorated while the top two thirds remain bare. It's as though I have stepped into Willie Wonka's Chocolate factory and all those delightfully tiny little people are oblivious to the remaining seven feet above them. I'm waiting for them to jump out and sing while carrying Duke around on their shoulders. He would probably love it, come to think of it. At any rate, tonight I will raise the cedar garland from across the hearth to the mantel where it belongs and that will complete my portion of the decorating. I'm more concerned with the combustable nature of the stuff, as it silently roasts before the open fire, than I am about the appearance of it.
And tomorrow is Christmas morning. Duke will spring from his little cushion, ignoring his daily ritual of plumping the foam chip stuffing in preparation for an afternoon nap, and make a bee line for the stocking hung by the chimney with care. He will only pause briefly to wonder if he shrunk in the night or if the stocking actually moved. And then he will tear through his gifts and candies like a young pup. I did not make the mistake, this year, of giving him cat nip in his stocking. Have you ever seen a Chihuahua with a hang over? It isn't pretty. All dignity is thrown to the wind. Boxing day last year was a bit ugly and I vowed--never again. At any rate, from Duke the Chihuahua, his pet human and myself--a very Merry Christmas and God bless.
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Jim Fox
08:57 PM on December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas Donna: Thanks for the humor. Duke is quite the dog, he could be hard to replace so make sure he eats healthy through the holidays.
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Fay Rowe
10:41 PM on December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas, Duke.
Merry Christmas, Donna and all.
Much love.
Merry Christmas, Donna and all.
Much love.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Donna, and to Duke and his human. Hope that stocking is full of good stuff this year! Tell Duke to go easy on the candy. Don't want him to get sick or gain weight! He might not be able to make it all the way to the ceiling fan the next time. I'd hate for him to go splat on the floor because of a few extra pounds keeping him from defying gravity.
I hope Christmas was wonderful for you and your family ! A nice "pat" for Duke !
Donna,
A (still) grinning greeting to you, Jeff, and the Duke!
-- thanks to your graphic depiction of what I imagained, as an aging miniature canine Cirque du Soleil wannabe, caught in the act.
May you all be having a merry Christmas in the Spirit of the Lord.
Peter.
A (still) grinning greeting to you, Jeff, and the Duke!
-- thanks to your graphic depiction of what I imagained, as an aging miniature canine Cirque du Soleil wannabe, caught in the act.
May you all be having a merry Christmas in the Spirit of the Lord.
Peter.
