The Spirit of Christmas

[Cyndi B.]

Aren't there exit wounds with that?

[Weinel, Alan]

When the kids were young we used to go to a tree farm and get one - made a special day of it... NOW = pre lit artificial. Faster, easier, no mess (needles) and less expensive. Most of the ornaments are either kid made (or g'kid made) or trinkets from our various travels. Michele likes to collect ornaments when we go somewhere. Oh, and the prelit artificial is "table height" - sits on an end table. But I **DO** miss the smell of a fresh tree.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

I would train it not to. I know dogs have iron stomachs, but it could possibly come to harm. Is it just a young pup, Tom?

Any tips on training her not to do that? She is great about leaving things alone the rest of the year, but the goods on the tree just seem to tempt her. She is 6 years old, tree problem has been for the last two years.

Originally Posted by Cyndi B.

Aren't there exit wounds with that?

Don't think I don't worry about it. I was relieved to see the glittery poop after she ate the glass ball ornament.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

Any tips on training her not to do that? She is great about leaving things alone the rest of the year, but the goods on the tree just seem to tempt her. She is 6 years old, tree problem has been for the last two years.

Without being there with her, it is tough to say. Barking (in your own way) loud and mean when she even goes near them would make her think twice.

With all the dogs I have had, the first thing they learn is who the boss is, and don't you dare disrespect that, ever. I can be nasty if I have to, really. This always sets us up for the rest of their lives full of fun and loving.

I have always had retrievers in the past, and now have an Australian Shepherd. Having a docked tail is not my favourite thing, but it sure is around the Christmas tree.

[rabbit]

Maybe decorating the dog would be cheaper and we could let her run outside and shake after Christmas and not have to put away ornaments. Our Christmas foliage is in the big wreath on the Brandywine River Museum. The coordinator of Holly Jolly came by with her volunteers and trimmed our yews which I had let escape heavenward for three yrs. She was very pleased that the prunings were so large (average 2-3') and suggested we continue to allow them to grow with wild abandon. I wish I could do that with the grass and have her come mow it and bale it ever so often.

jack

[Sue and Henry]

What about a smaller tree up on a table? The advantage there is that there is do much more space fore presents!

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

Without being there with her, it is tough to say. Barking (in your own way) loud and mean when she even goes near them would make her think twice...........

We've gotten the alpha thing down, but she only does this when no one is around. She gets a lot of exercise (2.5 miles per day walk), but I think the Christmas tree is a novelty that she wants to exploit for entertainment.

Maybe jalapeno sauce spray is a better answer.

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

We've gotta the alpha thing down, but she only does this when no one is around. She gets a lot of exercise (2.5 miles per day walk), but I think the Christmas tree is a novelty that she wants to exploit for entertainment.

Maybe jalapeno sauce spray is a better answer.

It seems you are doing things right, including the walking (I am a big advocate of this too, Jasper gets at least an hour every day, rain or shine). I just hope she does not take a liking to Mexican food.

[john warren]

Originally Posted by Weinel, Alan

When the kids were young we used to go to a tree farm and get one - made a special day of it... NOW = pre lit artificial. Faster, easier, no mess (needles) and less expensive. Most of the ornaments are either kid made (or g'kid made) or trinkets from our various travels. Michele likes to collect ornaments when we go somewhere. Oh, and the prelit artificial is "table height" - sits on an end table. But I **DO** miss the smell of a fresh tree.

pine scented glade