The Presents Were Opened, and the Yorkie Claimed the Paper

All that unwrapping wore somebody out. A tiny Yorkshire Terrier puppy has curled into a nest of crumpled green snowflake paper and plain brown kraft sheets, eyes shut and his head resting on a soft crinkle. His coat shades from steel blue on the back to warm gold on the face and paws, and one ear flops sideways as he breathes slowly. A flash of red paper peeks in at the corner, and the room around him is quiet and bright with morning light.

Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs with big personalities, and they can be bold and busy when awake. Young puppies, though, sleep a great deal, often many hours a day, and they tend to drop off right in the middle of the action. Wrapping paper makes a fun, crinkly bed, but it is wise to watch that a puppy does not chew and swallow pieces, and to keep ribbon, tape and curling strings out of reach, since those can cause problems if eaten. Yorkies also feel the cold more than larger dogs, so a warm blanket and a draft-free corner are good additions to any holiday nap spot.

For the moment the gifts, the cookies and the carols can wait. There is a small, silky dog sleeping peacefully in the middle of the mess, and the best present in the room is how quiet and content he looks.