The Elf Hat Slipped, the Bell Jingled, and the Puppy Stayed Serious
Soft brown eyes and a floppy ear peeking out from beneath a green elf hat: this fluffy tan and white pup has the look of a helper who takes the job very seriously. A green collar with a golden bell sits at its neck, and the pup lies on a chunky knit blanket with its paws stretched out. In the back, a tree lit with warm lights, a plaid blanket on the couch, and a wreath on the wall give the room a cheerful feel.
Mixed-breed rescue pups are a delightful surprise package, because it is hard to predict their size, coat, or energy. What they have in common is that they thrive on routine, patience, and kindness. A new puppy usually needs several short training sessions each day, lots of sleep, and a safe place to chew. At holiday time, watch for small ornaments, bells, and ribbons, which can be a choking risk, and keep chocolate and candy out of reach. Costumes should be brief and comfortable.
Our pup, whom we will name Jingles, wears the hat with an earnest look, as if wearing it were the most important job at the North Pole. The tree glows behind him, and the whole room smells of pine and cocoa, in the way holiday rooms often do. A puppy in an elf hat needs very little more to be the star of the day.
