We've learned to be on our toes this Christmas.

This year is our first year with a puppy celebrating Christmas. My husband and I have no kids and before bringing home Oliver, we really didn't have any real responsibilities. Let's just say it's been an adjustment, but it has also been really fun kind of seeing Christmas through his eyes.

Lord, we sound like he's our child!

Allow me to pass on some insight as to what we have been experiencing.

1. The tree looks funny

We learned pretty quickly that Christmas decorations on the tree needed to go up a little higher this year. Luckily, we don't have a huge dog so we just had to bump up those ornaments about a foot to keep them out of Ollie's reach. This is what he did when we put the first ornament up...

In addition to the ornaments, the cord and the lights easily become new chew things. As hard as I try to keep him from doing it, I'm just waiting for the moment when his hair is standing on end from electric shock.

2. Presents are toys

Now, don't get me wrong, some of those presents under the tree do have toys for Ollie in them. However, I am not talking about those toys. I'm talking about the presents themselves. Oh what wonderful things to chew on from boxes with bows to bags with tissue paper. At one point we had a winter wonderland in our living room courtesy of Ollie's work with tissue paper.

3. No room at this inn

If traveling during the holidays, be sure to book your boarding reservation early. We wanted to go out of town last minute earlier this month, but found that we had no place to board our little one. Note to self: make holiday plans in August next year.

4. Here comes the bill

No matter how much I told myself I would not spend money on the dog during Christmas, I can't help myself. I have stressed out about buying Ollie a present just as much as I have my mother. I have even found myself looking at Christmas sweaters for Ollie because I wouldn't want him to be cold after his haircut... Gosh, listen to me. I'm, hands down, a dog mom.

5. The greatest joy of the season

Put being on your toes aside, having a puppy around for Christmas has been the most fun. Ollie has helped decorate the house and has even proved he can sit still for Christmas cards in front of the tree. Puppies are perfect to cuddle with on those (semi) cold nights and they're definitely more fun to shop for than humans.

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