A wild visit to Ho Ho

I cannot believe that it has been a whole year since the last time I saw Ho Ho.

(Well, it has been two years since I visited the real Ho Ho. He sent two sad fakers last year. Ho Ho and I are old friends. They did not fool me...)

It was cold and icy, but I was so excited that I ran to the building - I was going to see Ho ho, after all. We got into the building, and there were lots of nice girls there just waiting for us. They said I was the first puppy to visit them and have my picture taken. They were glad to see me. They petted me and told my parents that I am very cute. My parents already know that, but I like to have girls say so.

After they took Mommy's money, the girls said, "Go that way." They pointed to a little room where Ho Ho was waiting for me. Before I could get to where Ho Ho was sitting, some other girls tried to put a hat on my head. I did not like putting on the hat, even though it was just like Ho Ho's. But I got pets and pretty words - and a cookie - from the girls, so I let them put it on. I do pretty much anything for a cookie.

Then I turned around and I saw Ho Ho. "Ho Ho!" I said. "It's me - your friend, Dewey." Ho Ho knew me, since we are old friends. I tried to be good, but I was so excited that I got all wiggly and wild. Lots of girls tried to help Ho Ho make me sit pretty, but I am a big boy (I am 94 lbs. of labrador wildness. Ho Ho called me a "wide load."). It took them lots of tries. My Daddy stepped in and tried to make me behave. Mommy moved behind the photo lady and started calling my name. I stopped, not for very long, but long enough that the photo lady could take a pretty picture of me. Mommy was happy - this photo lady knows how to take pictures that make moving labrador boys look really pretty.

Before you know it, my time with Ho Ho was over. Other puppies were waiting to see him, and we had places to go. I did whisper - well, bark - what I want for Christmas in Ho Ho's ear while he was wrestling me to his side. I was a little sad to have to say bye-bye to my friend, but I know I will see him next month, when he leaves my gifts in my house.

I just hope he remembers more of the good-boy things than the naughty things I did this year. Ho Ho is a forgiving guy.