The Stockings Were Hung, and One Tired Aussie Took the Floor

The three knit stockings on the mantel, cream, green and rust, are neatly lined up, but the real star is the dog sleeping below them. A black tricolor Australian Shepherd lies stretched out on the wooden floor, his chin resting on his white paws, his amber-brown eyebrows and eyes half-closed. A woven rug, a pair of slippers and a garland-covered brick fireplace complete a quiet scene.

Australian Shepherds are smart, active herding dogs, and a day of holiday excitement can wear them out as much as it does the family. Dogs sleep many hours a day, and a snooze near the fireplace is a sign that he feels comfortable and safe. Herding breeds like this one do best with daily exercise and mental games, so a long walk or a puzzle toy before the festivities can lead to a more relaxed dog during them. A fireplace should always have a screen, and a dog bed placed at a safe distance from the heat is better than sleeping right at the hearth.

Let's call him Rowdy, even though at this moment he's the opposite. He probably earned this nap after a long morning of supervising the family. The stockings above him wait patiently to be filled, and he'll wake up the moment the first treat wrapper crinkles. It's the kind of peaceful scene that makes a house feel like a home, with the whole family sharing the warmth of the season.