Are we past the honeymoon yet? Heck, no! I still absolutely adore this puppy!

So, in keeping with the theme of my last blog post, I just wanted to list a few lessons that Doris has taught me through the holidays. They're good for anyone who, like me, hasn't had a dog in a few years.

1. The golden tulle and hand-beaded Christmas tree skirt isn't as necessary to the holiday decor as I thought. Doris thought it made a fine fire hydrant. Or stump. Or general, all-purpose public restroom. Sigh. So I removed it. (I'm counting my blessings that Doris didn't think to chew on the beads!)

2. The only toy more perfect than an empty paper towel roll? Discarded Christmas paper and tissue. Loads of fun chasing that paper around the room!

3. After a day of chasing discarded Christmas tissue around the tree, it miraculously converts itself into a handy-dandy port-a-potty!

4. All Doris wants for Christmas is for the cat Hector to acknowledge the dog's existence. (Hector ain't givin' it up.)

5. Every member of the family who visits during the holidays is going to squeal in delight over a new corgi. That makes for a very happy, wiggly puppy that everyone plays with -- which results in a puppy who sleeps through the night!

6. Puppies negate all Grinch tendencies. Just when you think you're overwhelmed with holiday prep, when you've had it up to here with cooking and baking and wrapping and cleaning and decorating and mopping sticky stuff off the kitchen floor -- just then -- a corgi puppy will wake up from her nap, toddle over to your feet, and give your ankle a friendly lick. Resistance is futile. Corgis will assimilate us to their happy ways -- and I, for one, am a willing victim!