Paula's tips for Christmas - Stressless through the holidays

Paula's tips for Christmas - stressless through the holidays

Every year people around me behave very strangely. Sometimes they become hectic and nervous and sometimes it becomes quiet and contemplative. I notice that something really big must happen soon. The house and the garden are being festively decorated and suddenly it smells strangely everywhere. All the time I have to take ridiculous photos with a ridiculous cap on my head. I'm not so sure what the glittering tree is doing on the place of my basket? New dog toilet, maybe? - Where is my sleeping place now? That's kind of annoying.

Christmas has arrived and I'd like to tell you a few things about how to get your best friends through the Christmas season as stressless as possible:

Christmas shopping, Christmas party or Christmas markets

During the Christmas season, there are often cheerful Christmas parties and visits to the Christmas market. Presents and delicious food are taken care of during the hectic Christmas shopping in crowded shops. This is associated with many people and a lot of hustle and bustle. There are certainly some colleagues who think this is great, but most dogs probably react more like me. Fearful. It's not nice to get lost in the crowd of people as a small dog. You're constantly being jostled or kicked, and only then this noise. Nobody looks after me anyway - only now and then do I feel a pat on the back from my mum, which is only reassuring to a limited extent. I've even caught a cold from standing in front of a mulled wine stand for so long. Not nice and often I got really in panic.

Think carefully whether your dog can cope with this stress - otherwise just leave your darling at home in a warm basket. I, for example, finally enjoy peace and quiet and can relax well.

Create routine and alternative possibilities

In spite of your strange behaviour and a lot of visitors, I don't want to miss out. I can't understand it when suddenly there are no more walks or play lessons. Therefore these three points are especially important:

• Regular play lessons or meetings with dog lovers should continue to take place
• Familiar walks should be maintained
• And very important: I would prefer to keep my usual feeding time!

When visitors come I don't particularly like it when strangers constantly come and stroke me - I have nothing else to do with them. I would be very grateful for a quiet place, maybe even in your bedroom.

Decorate dog-proof

Almost all over the house and garden I discover new exciting objects. Some things remind me strongly of my toys. Once I bit into a ball and had to go to the vet because my snout suddenly hurt and bled. The doctor said that I was lucky that nothing more happened. My Christmas dinner was then only served in paps. Since then my owners have been taking better care of me.

All the Christmas decorations are hung outside my reach. The tree is either raised or in a sheltered corner. The cables of fairy lights and co. as well. The Advent wreath and candles are out of my reach. It is almost impossible to burn my snout or scorch my fur. Also no more candles are flying around when I stand next to the table wagging my tail. Because that would have almost burned down our Christmas tree. In addition, there is always a watchman present who intervenes in case of emergency.

Holiday lunch

Even though the festive meal smells so tempting, I know I'd better not eat it. The many spices, sugar and ingredients that are poisonous to me can cause bad stomach aches and worse. My owners make sure that I can't steal anything and fortunately always provide enough dog-friendly treats such as homemade dog biscuits and a special Christmas menu. This is what I always look forward to the most.

I am under no circumstances allowed to eat this:

Biscuits and gingerbread: often contain harmful ingredients. Besides sugar and too many spices, cocoa or chocolate are particularly dangerous

• Ingredients such as cinnamon or nutmeg also contain substances that are toxic to dogs
• I can't stand grapes and sultanas at all - be careful!
• I like nuts, but not bitter almonds, macadamia nuts and fresh walnuts - they could be toxic, fortunately I don't have a peanut allergy
• leftovers from the Christmas roast: these are mainly the bones that can splinter and injure me
• Alcohol is absolutely no go.

You have already learned how to bake delicious dog biscuits with the first door!

All in all, this unusual time is very nice if you follow some rules. Together with my mistress I am looking forward to many cosy cuddle hours, great Christmas walks with friends and of course to the delicious food.