Scout Grabbed the Red Ribbon and Marched Off Proudly
The red ribbon trails from the corner of his mouth like a bright tail, and the black-and-white dog beside the half-open gift has a look that says he's very proud of his catch. His ears flop forward, his brown eyes look up and his white chest shines against the black fur. Behind him the living room is a gentle disaster of chew toys, socks, a tug rope and a basket of blankets, with a garlanded mantel glowing in the evening sun.
Mixed-breed dogs, including many rescues, come in every shape and temperament, and plenty of them bring a hearty sense of humor to a home. A ribbon like this is fun to carry, but it can be a risk if swallowed, as string and ribbon can cause blockages in a dog's gut. Trade it for a toy or a treat and tidy up wrapping scraps quickly. Dogs often love to take part in gift-opening and can get overexcited, so a calm routine and a few toys of their own help keep everyone happy.
We'll call him Scout. He looks like he wants everyone to see his prize, and he'll happily parade around the room with it for as long as the audience is watching. Eventually he'll drop it for a game of tug, and the whole house will be better for his holiday energy.
