A Merry Sweet Surprise All-Around

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Chapter 2

Isabella had just finished up her ice skating. She went off to buy some hot chocolate for her sisters. Even though, Isabella knew they had a big Christmas party to go to that would be full of yummy treats. Still, she wanted to surprise her baby sisters with chocolate before the party. As she stood in line, a cute little teddy bear was in line ahead of her.

“One hot chocolate, please,” said Teddy the bear.

Coming right up, would you like marshmallows, whipped cream, or a little peppermint crunch on top?” asked Cocoa Bear.

Jenna, another Cavalier standing behind Teddy.

“Oh, you should definitely try the peppermint crunch on top. It is so delicious with chocolate.”

Teddy nodded.

“Can I please have some peppermint crunch with my hot chocolate?”

“Absolutely. That will be $2.50, please,” said Coco the bear as he finished

preparing the drink.

Teddy looked at the money in his hand and realized he was in trouble.

“I don’t have enough money for that. I can’t pay for the drink.”

He looked so sad and was about to turn away when Isabella spoke up.

“Wait a minute, it’s Christmas Eve; I can chip in and help you pay for your drink,” Isabella said.

“Me too,” said Jenna.

“I can help, too,” said Mr. Snowman.

Isabella, Jenna, and Mr. Snowman gathered the money and gave it to Cocoa Bear, who counted it out. And handed the hot chocolate with peppermint crunch to Teddy. Teddy was so excited and thankful to everyone.

“You all are so great. I really appreciate each of you,” Teddy said.

“That’s what Christmas is all about. It’s about giving and sharing with friends.” Said Mr. Snowman. Jenna and Isabella nodded in agreement.

“Would you like to join us for our Christmas party?” said Jenna to Teddy.

“Yes, I would love to come,” said Teddy, and off they all went to get ready for their big Christmas Eve party.

Several miles away, under an icy blue sky, Ewing, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, worked very hard to bring a fascinating surprise for her at the Christmas party. She loved surprising her doggie friends and watching them bark joyfully.

What she didn’t realize was how difficult this was going to be.

“I need to be somewhere else today,” said Blitzen.

“Can’t you just come for a little while and take some photos of my friends in front of the Christmas tree?” asked Ewing.

Blitzen looked at Ewing as if she had just grown antlers herself!

“It’s Christmas Eve! Santa needs me to help guide his sleigh!” Blitzen said to Ewing.

Ewing was trying not to get frustrated. She didn’t think this would be that hard; she was in charge of the entertainment for the Christmas party. Ewing thought it would’ve been super cool to get one of Santa Claus’s reindeer to join for a little while.

“Well, I need a backup for my Christmas party. I will not let my friends down. Can you help me with that? It’s getting really late, and I need to come up with something good?” asked Ewing.

Blitzen just stood there. He couldn’t believe that this Rhodesian Ridgeback was asking him to help with the Christmas party. Didn’t she realize the important job he had to do tonight?

As the two stood there staring at each other, in the distance, they both heard the sounds of jingle bells tinkling and the sounds of crunching snow underfoot.

“Hmm, I might have an idea,” said Blizten as the sounds grew closer. “Yes, I can help you with your replacement. And he’s coming up the snowy hill right now!”

Meanwhile, Thumper the French Pug was finishing up decorating her gingerbread house. She was in charge of all the party decorations. With Gingersnap dog bones, gummy drops, and chocolate kisses, Thumper was having a positively happy time with the sweets.

While Thumper was finishing the Gingerbread house, she enjoyed Fiona, another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, singing Christmas songs next to her.

“Sing that song again, Fiona!” said Thumper. “Your song really gets me into the spirit of Christmas!”

Fiona who was dressed in her Candy Cane knit sweater that her Mom knitted for her, sat up straight, wiggled with her backside, and sang her Christmas song.

“Dashing through the snow

in a one-dog open sleigh

over the snowy hills, we go

barking all the way.

Bouncing through the snow

with a tennis ball in my mouth.

Can you catch me now?

Only if you treat me!

***

With my pawsome charms

and cuddly personality.

May we get all the toys?

That we nicely barked for!

***

Oh, woof here, woof woof there

sniffle, growl, bark, howl

oh, what fun it is to play

with my tennis ball and treat-filled dog sleigh!”

Thumper laughed so hard that her muzzle nosed into the frosted gingerbread house. Fiona saw that too and started laughing hard; something about Christmas invited a carefree and merry mood.

Outside, they heard barking and were pleased to see their first guests arriving at their party. Athena, the poodle, Bogart the Cogi, and Duke, The Labradoodle.

Athena was excited to join Fiona for Christmas caroling, while Bogart was excited about Ewing’s special entertainment. It thrilled Duke that he was with his friends instead of back home decorating the Christmas tree, which was boring! As the three friends were ready to enter the party, they could hear the squeaking and twinkling of bells coming from behind them.

Maximus, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who had an illness that made his back legs not work, showed up with his trusty wheels to take part in all the holiday cheer.

Duke went immediately to help his brother. He was so happy that Maximus, with his wheels, could be part of the celebration. Duke grabbed the Secret Santa gift, the dog bone, and the stocking for Maximus.

“Christmas is all about family and friends. Let’s go do some fun things together,” Duke said to Maximus.

“Thank you, Duke, for not leaving me behind. I may not be as fast as everybody, and I may not look like everyone, but I’m happy to be included!” said Maximus.

“Of course, Maximus, it’s not the wheels that define you. It’s your heart and soul that truly makeup who you are. And you are one great dog!” Duke said.

As the two doggy brothers went into the Christmas party, everyone was so excited to see them. As the party started, all the dogs went to different activities.

Some went to the gingerbread decorating table, and others went to the treat decorating station. Sadie was in charge of that, where she had all the ornaments laid out in the shapes of dog bones and socks and tennis balls.

Fiona was in charge of the Christmas carols, and all the canines did their Christmas singing with howling and barking.

Duke was in charge of the magical agility obstacle course. He had all the dogs lined up as they ran through various candy cane tunnels and leaped over snow hills.

Bogart wondered where Ewing was and what happened to the entertainment.

To be continued…

This was originally published on Medium.