Gift From On High

From Mia Cope

It’s the season for gift-giving. It was my first Christmas at Casa de Togo and I really didn’t know what to expect. Momma and Daddy told me not to give them anything. To be accurate, that was what Momma said. She told me that I was her special gift this year. She’s always super honest so I spent a good part of Christmas Day sitting close to her and letting her give me extra pats and love. Daddy shouldn’t have high expectations about me getting anything for him.

After all, Momma did give me a present. Meet Gayle Gator.

I haven’t let Gayle out of my sight — at least while I’m inside the house. I tried to take her out with me yesterday to give her a tour of the estate. But someone, whose name isn’t Momma, stopped me. I was pretty nervous about leaving Gayle alone while I was out. Since she is new around here, I thought she might have separation anxiety. Fortunately, Gayle seems to have formidable courage and adapted well. I think it helped that Daddy (who may or may not have been who blocked her exit) had put Gayle in my bed where I could find her.

Gayle is now one of my best friends, along with Marina, Squeaky, and Monkey.

But that’s not the only Christmas gift I received this year. My surprise present came from on high.

I was hanging out in the backyard one day listening to my friend, Millie, playing next door. She and her human, Mr. Wilson, play with a ball almost every day. I find it very relaxing to hear the ball sailing through the air, the sounds of Millie’s feet charging across the lawn after the ball, and then back again to return the ball to Mr. Wilson.

Daddy says that they are playing a game of fetch. Mr. Wilson throws the ball, Millie fetches it and takes it back to him so he can throw it again. It seems like a game of diminishing return to me. But to each her own.

I had almost dozed off when I heard the ball sailing and Millie’s feet pounding — but then, something different. I heard the ball whizzing through the air. And then the distinct plunk of the ball in my yard. Millie had tossed the ball over the fence to me! Daddy explained that she probably intended for me to join in the game and throw it back to her.

I don’t play fetch. It’s not a religious conviction or anything. But I feel strongly that I should honor the generosity of the donor. And keep whatever they give.

Just because I don’t play fetch doesn’t meant that I don’t enjoy having a ball around. This is the proper way to play with a ball, by the way.

And that’s the way it’s going to be in my backyard.

In the spirit of full disclosure, Daddy wanted me to tell you that the ball in this video is not the one that Millie tossed over the fence. Daddy wanted to take my picture with the actual ball. However, I’m not totally convinced that Daddy doesn’t have dishonorable intentions. So I buried it.

Daddy watched through the window and saw me using my nose to push dirt and grass on top of the ball. Little did he know that I saw him see me. I was able to move it before he could get outside. For days now, I’ve been moving it from one hiding place to another. And the only evidence that the prize is in a different undisclosed location is the dirt and mud on my nose.

To be fair, Daddy offered to get me another ball so that I could return Millie’s to her. But it just wouldn’t be the same. My new game involves subterfuge and deception. And it creates unending interaction with Daddy. Gifts from on high are the gifts that keep on giving.

Besides, if Daddy wants to, he can toss a new ball back over to Millie. He would feel better. Millie would feel better. And I would feel better.

I hope that you were a willing giver and receiver this Christmas. Happy Holidays!