We were opening gifts Christmas evening when blind Widget decided to climb on top of one present and claim it for herself. She moved around all over that box, as if to make sure everyone knew she was on it and it was hers. (An aside: From this photo you can see why Widget is a founding member of the Short-Legs Society.)
Over on the cot is blind Goldie, who is looking for the pink squeaky toy that's on the floor next to the box. And back there by the wall is blind Willie the Beagle, who has no idea what's going on but thinks it sounds like a lot of fun.
Willie's eye is glowing because the camera flash is reflecting directly off the retina in the back of his eye. Willie is blind from progressive retinal atrophy, and to compensate, the eye completely dilates to let as much light in as possible. That's why we often get the "glow eye" around here with the camera flash instead of "red eye."
The dogs had a blast Christmas evening with the presents ... there were more squeaky toys to destroy in one night than Goldie ever thought possible. By the time we went to bed, little Bailey the miniature Dachshund had gathered all of Goldie's now dead (i.e., squeakerless) toys around him on his bed. He's not into the squeaker-annihilation frenzy that Goldie is; Bailey's into numbers. As in, he who goes to bed with the most toys wins.
Widget finally climbed down from the present -- I think she realized it was a little hard to open this way! -- and quickly settled for a soft chew toy of her own.
(Click on photo for larger image.)
This was the BEST christmas story I've read!
I'm sure you all got some sleep since the dog toys all lost their sqeakers!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Posted by: Leilani | December 29, 2006 at 01:38 PM
What a hilarious photo of the dogs enjoying Christmas at the ranch! Merry Christmas to all from Toronto, Canada.
Posted by: Nina | December 28, 2006 at 06:51 PM
What a funny photo! Widget,Queen of the presents! I'm so glad they had a blast on Christmas. Tobias is rather good at opening presents, but leaves them alone until I let him know it's okay to open them. It's neat that Bailey likes the squeekerless toys, as no toy goes to waste. One dogs spoils is another's treasure.
Warm hugs to all,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | December 27, 2006 at 03:42 PM
It looks as if Christmas has gone to the dogs at the Rolling Dog Ranch--and a good thing too! So glad they all had a merry Christmas. Margaret
Posted by: Margaret | December 27, 2006 at 12:33 PM