It’s a Dogs Life (10)

I’m a big fan of Christmas, not until December mind you. I won’t even mention the “C” holiday before that. It’s “Bah humbug!” all the way till Dec 1, then I become the Spirit of Christmas -Present (as opposed to past/future).

“Ho ho ho!” (I have the beard and the belly).

I’d like to say I do all kinds of charitable things over the festive period, but in general although my intentions are good, I usually wind up working my day job (or night), and this year is no exception. I’m in on all the high days, although for 2020 it’s hard to see that makes much odds. Still I can say that as a man who has a loving family at home and a house which – if not exactly “bedecked” -is still wearing some tinsle.

I think though, for many people, the recent travel restrictions will make this a painfully empty holiday. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the why, no-one should risk giving the “gift” of ‘Rona, especially not to the vulnerable. But those very people who are most threatened with infection, and least able to cope, are often the same people who are vulnerable in other ways – vulnerable to isolation, to loneliness, to depression. The very fact that this is a time when we expect cheer and delight can make it’s absence that much darker.

So Christmas is dimmed by the shadow of Covid? Not on my watch.

That’s not the way it’s supposed to work – It’s when the shadows are darkest that we have to make the effort to shine more brightly. (Have the festive films taught us nothing?) Yes “care” needs to be taken (so that other things are not), but “care”, in all it’s sense, still needs to be extended out to those who cannot come to us.

So this year, while I’m working, (and I dress- flamboyantly- for the day, even though I’m in an office), I’ll try to bring a little extra sparkle to the people I have to deal with, and to those I meet. After all, what’s the point of being a larger than life character if you can’t share some of that bon-hommie and goodwill at Christmas.

Maybe I can bring a little piece of magic into someones day. Maybe you can too?

Next week?

I’m hoping to post a special treat(?) on Christmas Eve (late). After that I have to start packing seriously, so it might be that the next Dog’s life will be delayed until my removal. Doubtless I’ll have some tale(s) of woe from that. So if I don’t speak to you before, have a happy festive season, and see you in 2021.

“HO HO HO!” LDW