A trip to a few stores resulted in the purchase of ornaments: on sale, energy-efficient mini-lights; two garlands –artificial; Christmas stockings –yes, one is for the dog –and a wreath.

I just couldn’t wait to start decorating. I kept envisioning the finished product and got all warm and fuzzy at the idea of hosting a holiday celebration at my house with friends and family.

But then, I got home...

Gordo, who I sometimes think has been sniffing glue from the toolbox, was extremely excited to see that his mom (that’s me) had purchased bags upon bags of dog toys.

Nifty huh?

My silly pup was quick to bury his head in the wreath, start nibbling on the garland and chase all the ornaments. After spending a few moments in timeout, the dog received a bone; it’s not like he deserved it, but I needed him to be distracted while I decorated.

So up went the wreath at the front door; the mini-lights were wrapped around the garland and secured to the fireplace mantel with stockings hanging neatly on either side. Ornaments were hooked onto the garland and more hung from the ceiling at various heights.

As I stepped back to admire my decorating prowess, I smiled and started to clean up the mess I had made. But it wasn’t long before I noticed Gordo sniffing, nibbling and generally looking for a way to destroy my festive

arrangement.

Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. While I wouldn’t so much compare it to motherhood (I am sure some fantastic do-it all moms would probably bonk me over the head with a blunt object), I often feel as though the dog must be constantly supervised –especially around small, large, smelly, tasty...actually all objects.

A bite through the mini-light electrical wire and he would get zapped. A jump up onto the fireplace mantel to reach one of the hanging ornaments would most likely result in some sort of tumble or fall. And a good chew-session on an ornament or stocking could result in him swallowing a detachable item.

My solution, as it stands, is clapping as he trots towards the fireplace but that has, at times, proven to be ineffective.

I thought –and still believe –that the novelty of the Christmas decorations will soon wear off. But I truly hope that this doesn’t take place after the holidays, when all the decorations are taken down and stored away for the season.

After all, how succulent can chewing on a Christmas tree ornament actually be?