Catherine Nicolai

She needed several naps to bathe her paws and face and have some uninterrupted one-on-one time with me. And whether there was one dog chasing his tail, or two while she did it, she didn't much care. I knew some of her disaffected nature was put on. She liked to appear a bit above her brothers. But I'd also seen her bathe both of their faces. when they'd come back from their chuck-ups at the vet.

She needed several naps to bathe her paws and face and have some uninterrupted one-on-one time with me. And whether there was one dog chasing his tail, or two while she did it, she didn't much care. I knew some of her disaffected nature was put on. She liked to appear a bit above her brothers. But I'd also seen her bathe both of their faces. when they'd come back from their chuck-ups at the vet.

And on movie night, her favorite spot was right between them, her chin resting on Bird's back, and her back paw stretched out to touch Crumb's belly. We were a happy little pack heading into the holidays. and decorating had been a good deal of fun for all of us.

And on movie night, her favorite spot was right between them, her chin resting on Bird's back, and her back paw stretched out to touch Crumb's belly. We were a happy little pack heading into the holidays. and decorating had been a good deal of fun for all of us.

And on movie night, her favorite spot was right between them, her chin resting on Bird's back, and her back paw stretched out to touch Crumb's belly. We were a happy little pack heading into the holidays. and decorating had been a good deal of fun for all of us.

I wasn't a very organized person, so when it came time to gather together all the bulbs and strands of light and little houses for the Christmas village, we'd had to troop up to the attic down into the basement, root through the garage, and dig under the bed. But eventually we found nearly everything.

I wasn't a very organized person, so when it came time to gather together all the bulbs and strands of light and little houses for the Christmas village, we'd had to troop up to the attic down into the basement, root through the garage, and dig under the bed. But eventually we found nearly everything.

I wasn't a very organized person, so when it came time to gather together all the bulbs and strands of light and little houses for the Christmas village, we'd had to troop up to the attic down into the basement, root through the garage, and dig under the bed. But eventually we found nearly everything.

Our tree went up in the living room, right in front of the big picture window where it could be seen from the street. there was a moment of contention while we debated white lights versus colored lights. But luckily, my sweetheart realized I'd made a very convincing argument, and my pick were strung up. As we hung up bulbs and ornaments, some from my collection and some from his.

Our tree went up in the living room, right in front of the big picture window where it could be seen from the street. there was a moment of contention while we debated white lights versus colored lights. But luckily, my sweetheart realized I'd made a very convincing argument, and my pick were strung up. As we hung up bulbs and ornaments, some from my collection and some from his.

Our tree went up in the living room, right in front of the big picture window where it could be seen from the street. there was a moment of contention while we debated white lights versus colored lights. But luckily, my sweetheart realized I'd made a very convincing argument, and my pick were strung up. As we hung up bulbs and ornaments, some from my collection and some from his.

We told the stories of them. Here was the bulb my mom had been gifted the year I was born, with the date still etched on the side. and the crack that had been carefully glued after I'd pulled the tree down when I was three. Here was the ornament made of popsicle sticks and cotton balls he'd glued together in kindergarten. Unrecognizable as any particular thing, but cherished just the same.

We told the stories of them. Here was the bulb my mom had been gifted the year I was born, with the date still etched on the side. and the crack that had been carefully glued after I'd pulled the tree down when I was three. Here was the ornament made of popsicle sticks and cotton balls he'd glued together in kindergarten. Unrecognizable as any particular thing, but cherished just the same.

We told the stories of them. Here was the bulb my mom had been gifted the year I was born, with the date still etched on the side. and the crack that had been carefully glued after I'd pulled the tree down when I was three. Here was the ornament made of popsicle sticks and cotton balls he'd glued together in kindergarten. Unrecognizable as any particular thing, but cherished just the same.

As we decorated, the animals watched a bit nervously from their beds. Boxes were often regarded with suspicion by all of them. Things were either coming in or going out, and they weren't sure they approved of either.

As we decorated, the animals watched a bit nervously from their beds. Boxes were often regarded with suspicion by all of them. Things were either coming in or going out, and they weren't sure they approved of either.

As we decorated, the animals watched a bit nervously from their beds. Boxes were often regarded with suspicion by all of them. Things were either coming in or going out, and they weren't sure they approved of either.

finally marmalade bravest of the three tiptoed up to the tree and reached a paw out toward a green glass bulb i could see her curious eyes reflected in the surface and whether she broke the bulb or not I thought I was likely to remember this moment for years to come. Her wonder at it, the glow of the tree lights through the fur of her ears.

finally marmalade bravest of the three tiptoed up to the tree and reached a paw out toward a green glass bulb i could see her curious eyes reflected in the surface and whether she broke the bulb or not I thought I was likely to remember this moment for years to come. Her wonder at it, the glow of the tree lights through the fur of her ears.

finally marmalade bravest of the three tiptoed up to the tree and reached a paw out toward a green glass bulb i could see her curious eyes reflected in the surface and whether she broke the bulb or not I thought I was likely to remember this moment for years to come. Her wonder at it, the glow of the tree lights through the fur of her ears.