Dear Santa,

I will be forever indebted to you if you can please bring a dog.  A big dog.  I love dogs.

Love,

Brittany

(although my ‘a’s were backwards back in the day so it was more accurately signed, ‘Brittpny’)

No joke.  As you can imagine, year after year, after many pairs of socks, underwear, and leotards,  I came to the conclusion that the big jolly man had either a horrible sense of humor or was illiterate.

At the vintage age of 14 I finally got my dog, however I should clarify that he did not arrive via the chimney.  Schroeder, named after Peanuts character who has a ridiculous obsession with Mr. Beethoven, has been a friend and an awfully good pillow since we  picked him up in mid-May of 2004.

Just a few weeks after he turned one he had his first of many idiopathic grand mal seizures.  There was a short period within that first month that we were being told he would have to be put down due to the severity of his seizures which were likely leaving his brain somewhat damaged.  With some Staddon-stubborness in hand it was determined he would be tried on two types of strong medication – he has been good ever since. A wee bit glitched, but my dog all the same : )

I can assure you every moment (including now) I am at home on the computer he is on my lap, usually fast asleep (much to my chagrin).

Here are a few images of Schroeder – who is in dire need of a grooming.

There was some slight embarrassment regarding the hat