“Twiggy. I don’t think you are supposed to pull that snowman out of the tote.”
“Yes, Bailey’s right. I feel a yell coming up real soon.”
“Okay, you two can relax. I’ll play with this toy.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her, Lucy.”
“Hey, dad. I’m glad you showed up. Bailey and Lucy say I can’t help with the decorations.”
“Well, you have to be careful. There are some things that could hurt puppies.”
“So what can I do to help?”
“Follow me. I’ll show you something you can do.”
“You want me to stand on this tore cover?”
“Yes, I need you to keep it from moving away.”
“Moving away? Aw, dad, this does not really help. You made this up.”
“As long as you stand there, I know it won’t move.”
“How about something meaningful? Like taking these boxes off the ornaments?
“Would be nice, Little Potato but you have no thumbs.”
“Thumbs? You know teeth and jaws were made long before thumbs.”
“That is what concerns me, sweetheart. Come over to the tree and get in the photo.”
“Okay, all of you smile.”
“Is it just me or does mom have a treat in her hand?”
“I think she is trying to get us to stay still, Lucy.”
“Well, it certainly is working. I’ll count to three, and we’ll rush her.”
“Okay Girls, thank you.”
“Twiggy. Get out from under that tree.”
“In a minute, Dad. This material is sumptuous.”
Fiction Favorites 
Woof woof – twiggy is a nice Christmas helper
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Thank you, Yvette. (I think helper shoud be in quotes) 🙂
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😊
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Looks like Twiggy is enjoying the holiday season.
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She is. Thanks, Charles and Happy Hanukkah to you.
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Merry Christmas to you too.
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Nice. No tree for us this year, though – we’ll be away in our camper on Spain’s Costa Azahar!
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That sounds like a good way to spend the holiday. 🙂
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This will be our third Chrismas down there – we missed last year because we went to India for the New Year.
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Sounds delightful.
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We’re looking forward to temperatures in the mid- to high-teens – a full ten degrees higher than here! And they do a mean Christmas meal.
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Our temps here at the Gulf coast are ten degrees higher than inland. Also in the summer we are ten degrees cooler. The water has a big impact.
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It does make quite a splash, doesn’t it?
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🙂
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Nice work! The tree looks beautiful, John.
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Thank you, Jill.
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It looks like Twiggy is doing one of those detergent commercials where every body inhales the wonderful scent of their laundry. 🙂
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Ha haha. She does, GP. 😀
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We haven’t gotten around to setting up our tree yet, but soon!
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Plenty of time.
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What a great picture, John. I still have to put up my tree. I don’t have such keen helpers.
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I think helpers shoud be in quotes. Thank you, Robbie. 😀
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Beautiful tree and the photo of the pups in front of the decorated tree is precious. May you and your family have a joy-filled Christmas, John. 🙂
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May you have the same joy, Gwen. Thank you.
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Loved it John. Thanks. 👍🎄🐶
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Thank you, Lynne 🙂
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Pets and Christmas trees. Oh boy – At least Bailey and Lucy didn’t instigate this one. Love the family photo!
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Thank you, Frank. 🙂
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I’m sure due to all that help the tree looks even more lovely. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you, Suzanne. I agree. 🙂
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Love the needlepointed Christmas stockings, and love that trick you tried to play on Twiggy. Sit on a lid, indeed! No Dixie Rose to help with decorating this year, but plenty of good memories. You’re clearly creating some good ones, too. I’m in admiration of your ability to get those three to sit for a p photo!
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All three do sit and stay on command. Sometimes they are not sure they want to, but they do. Thank you, Linda.
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What’s more adorable then three cute dogs? Three cute dogs and a Christmas tree!!
The picture of the girls in front of the tree would make a great cover for a Christmas card.Loved this!!
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Thank you, Mae. Super thought.
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John, I look forward to this post every week. Thanks so much for the Thursday smiles. Beautiful tree! 🙂
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Thank you, Natalie. 😀
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Adorable, and it was so nice of you to build an elaborate doggie bed for Twiggy with lights, bulbs, and everything.
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Ha ha ha. We now have a play pen around the tree. Too much temptation.
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Of course you do. All you need is a cat now.
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A perfect Christmas greeting – and such good helpers!
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Holiday delights! ♥♥♥
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Something pets never let us forget.
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That is true, Greg. 😀
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Well trained pups! The photo is such a classic – they look angelic. Now cats would be climbing the tree! Your home looks ready for the holidays.
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Thank you, Jo. I think we are ready.
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John,
It’s funny, because when I saw the pic of the three of them under the tree looking to their right, I knew a treat was being proffered. LOL.
They are in full Christmas mode. Twiggy . . maybe some overdrive with her.
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Can you say “overrotation.”
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Haha!
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Ha haha
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Nothing like having quality help for decking the halls! I hadn’t thought of having Dallas hold a lid down like that. Hmm, you’ve given me an idea for next year. Well done, John, and the girls’ Christmas photo is lovely!
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Thank you, so much Debbie.
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Little Potato has no thumbs. So precious!
The decorations look lovely, John.
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Thank you, Staci.
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Glad you had do many helpers with your tree:) Twiggy is your first present.
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She is. Thanks, Denise.
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What a beautiful family photo, John.Puppies can be a handful around the tree. Twiggy seems like she’s being pretty good.
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Wait until you see my tree shot tomorrow. We had to put a play pen in place.
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Ha Ha – I was just over there. It doesn’t look like you anchored it to the wall – I hope it stands.
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it is almost half of a heptagon and very stable.
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OK. Good luck.
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Thanks.
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Oh, the magic of the first Christmas!!
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Some would say magic we were thinking mayhem, Thanks, Jan
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Delightful, John. It looks like they did a great job. I wish I could say the same for Toby and Austin. They seem to think everything needs to come off the tree when it’s been hang on it. I guess no more buying chicken favoured tree treats for them.
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Yes, tree treats might not be the way to go. When Twiggy arrived we bought three playpens and are so glad we did.
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That sounds like a great idea. Thanks, John.
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🙂
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Oh, that photo of the three of them is precious. Definitely frame-worthy. And I love the nickname for Twiggy — ¨little potato¨ How cute!
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Thanks, Marie. The nickname seems to fit.
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Adorable, John! I love all 3 under the tree. That must have taken some doing. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan.
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I just loved this, John! Actually, I’m a bit teary at the photo under the tree. Of course dashing to mom for the treat afterwards makes it all the better. 🙂
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Yes. They always love their treats.
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😀
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Reblogged this on Loleta Abi.
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[…] via Thursday – A Little Personal – Setting Up the Tree […]
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Thank you for the reblog, Traci.
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I wish I lived closer John so I could dog sit…. I adore them. hugsxx
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They would love you. Thanks, Sally.
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[…] And my third guest today is thriller and paranormal mystery author John W. Howell who lives on the Texas coast, has three dogs who have him right where they want him.. Lucy, Bailey and Twiggy..for example when it came to the Christmas Decorations […]
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Thank you so much, Sally.
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