Well, it's another Holiday at Fields Quarter Horses which also means another Holiday at Canine Companion (the sister business to FQH). Although is it pretty much business as usual at the barn, the dog kennel/training facility/grooming shop is nearing maximum capacity! There's nothing like being greeted by 40 or so barking faces early on Christmas morning.
Of course, each and every dog will get their exercise time outside to bark, bounce, and "do their business". While they are romping in individual play areas, we will methodically clean each kennel, fluff their beds, and prepare their breakfast. Christmas tradition dictates that Brittney deliver an extra special treat to every dog. We tell them each that Christmas morn has arrived and spend a little time scratching itchy spots, rubbing bellys, or holding the little guys on our laps.
Since we began taking care of other people's pets, we've always felt a little extra burden each Holiday to make sure that every dog knows that it is special. After kennels are cleaned, breakfast is eaten, and Holiday hugs are delivered, it will be time to walk the dogs once again. This ritual is repeated several times each day- 365 days/year. The afternoon turns to evening and dinner is served and the dogs are walked yet again.
In the midst of all the dog walking and tending on Christmas Day, Wayne, Brittney, and I will find time to watch a movie or maybe even sneak off to Waffle House. People often wonder about how we spend our day and we've even been asked who we hire to take care of the dogs on Christmas. We laugh and know that we'll see family or friends after the New Year- when things have calmed down a bit.
It's been a long time now and I can't really remember how I used to spend the Holidays before I belonged to the Kennel. I'm sure it involved running from this party to the next. I'm happy that I'll spend Christmas with the dogs (and horses). I'll remind myself when I am bombarded with all those barking voices on Christmas morning that these little fellows are Angels, too.
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