Week 1 of the New Series: Santa Paws is Coming. (Getting Ready for Santa Paws)

   Christmas can be fun, exciting, and joyful to all kids. But what about the pets? Do something. Give your dog, cat, or cockroach a stocking and fill it up! Make their little hearts happy! This week we are learning about Getting Ready For Santa Paws - Which is better? Summer or Winter?

   Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, for Christmas is coming! Get your pet ready and active for Santa Paws! Learn about your pet's reaction to the snow. Do they like it? A long walk on a hot day and can be awfully sweaty, as a long walk on a snowy day can be deadly. Take a look at these poems:

Swimming in the pool,
or playing in the snow,
either of which is better,
we have not to know.

The sun is beating down,
or the snow is toppling mountains,
drinking a sip of hot cocoa,
or cool water from a fountain.

Thy summer day be long and hot,
winter's day be short and cold,
but Ol' Saint Nick no come in Summer,
as we are told...

   What did that tell you? It compared Summer to Winter. Which is better? Swimming in the pool, or playing in snow? A hot summer day, or a cold, blizzary one? Drinking hot cocoa, or refreshing water from a fountain? The long summer days, or short snowy ones? But Ol' Saint Nick doesn't come in summer.... what does that tell you? Winter and Summer's greatness is a mystery! Speaking of Winter and Summer, a short summary of an animal story of A white dog named Winter, and another named Summer:

   Summer ran through and caught the frisbee as the sun beats down on her soft, golden coat. Winter pulls a sled with her brothers and sisters. Sandy came over with her dark, tan skin, and bleach blonde hair as she stroked Summer's head. "Good girl." she said. Winter's toes are numb, but manages to go forward. Crossing the finish line, as the humans shout hooray. Michael stepped out of the sled and planted a kiss on Winter's head. "Good girl, Winter." he said, with his breath visible in negative weather. Sandy, hot and sweaty, laps up a whole bowl of water. What a great day she had. Nothing but play time. As Winter stood by the fire, more eager to warm up. As she cuddled into a ball, she instantly fell asleep. Hard work as it was, pulling the 300 lb. sled, all she needed was Michael's praise that made her day. -Season's Greetings

   What does that tell you? Well, you may work hard like Winter, as it all pays off somehow. Or, as with Summer, Life could be nothing but play. But think - which will you be more appreciated by others for? How about another poem about comparison between the two?

   Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Pop goes the Wheasel,
Hair bumped into ponytail,
Or down for warmth and jolly.

   Sleeping in all of the day,
Season's greetings my friends!
Playing of pool time,
Or snow which to play?

   This poem compares the joys of summer and winter again. Christmas songs, or the icecream truck song on a hot day? Hair pulled into a ponytail to keep out sweat, or down to warm your neck? Sleeping in on a summer's day, or waking up to the greeting on winter? Playing in the pool, or snow? Another mind trick! To keep both of spirit, sing this little song (in the tune of Dynamite - Taio Cruz):

Chorus:
I throw the snow up in the air sometimes,
saying "Ayyyyyo, taste the snooooow",
I wanna celebrate and live my life,
thank you Winter, you may enter!

Or, a summer one:

Chorus:
I throw my floaties in the air sometimes,
saying "Ayyyyyyo, I can swim now!"
I chomp down snowcones, as I hop inside.
Thinking "Summer, don't ever leeeeeet go!"

   Cheesy, huh? (We thought so too.) Now, as you compare summer to winter, we want you to prepare your pet for it's best Christmas yet. Take it outside, let it enjoy the last few snowless days. Create a strong bond with your pet, as it will help when Christmas comes. Next, snuggle to bed with it every night! YOU be the one to take care of it, not brother or sister, admire your pet to the day! We have created a chart to do for this week until Santa Paws- Week 2. We call it, "Quest for Santa Paws".
　
Week 1: Play with your pet. Outside or inside. Snow is coming soon, let them enjoy the last days of clear land. Feed and water them all week. Snuggle them to bed with you each night. Make the bond stronger. if you have your Christmas Tree up, your pet WILL notice. Get a stocking for them! All week, record the naughty or nice things your pet has done. Don't let them know YOU'RE Santa Paws' secret helper!

  On week 2, you have gotten ready, then it'll be time to get set. Question for this week: So far, has your pet been naughty or nice?

You can print the journal for the week attached, and send us yours! Over the week think, Is summer, or Christmas better? And remember to work on Getting Ready For Santa Paws! Thanks you guys! Message us at postpaws2011@aol.com! And don't forget to sing the song!