Christmas is Coming

“Hey Jake!” called Midge as she and Booker-T entered the gate at Jake's place.

“Hi guys,” said Jake as he jumped out of the swing. “Where is Melody?”

“She went on a short three day trip with her owner,” said Booker-T. “They went to her brother's house for Christmas.”

“You know, Sunday is Christmas,” said Jake. “I think my owner's family is coming to our house for the day.”

“Mine too,” said Midge. “Do you know what your owner is going to do Booker-T?”

“She is going to her sister's house,” said Booker-T. “I heard her on the phone with her sister and I think they have someone they want her to meet.”

“Oh,” said Midge. “They are playing matchmaker.”

“What is matchmaker?” asked Booker-T. “I don't know what that is.”

“They are trying to get a boyfriend for her,” said Jake.

“She already as a boyfriend,” said Booker-T.

“Does her family know she has a boyfriend?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Booker-T.

“Are you sure she has a boyfriend?” asked Jake.

“She calls him Honey,” said Booker-T.

“Is that his name?” asked Jake.

“No,” said Booker-T. “His name is Bob.”

“Have you ever seen Bob?” asked Midge.

“He came to the house a couple times for dinner,” said Booker-T.

“Do you like him?” asked Midge.

“I don't know yet,” said Booker-T. “He pets me when he is there and is really nice.”

“I think she likes him if she calls him Honey,” said Jake.

“How do you know?” asked Midge.

“I saw it in a movie one time,” said Jake. “My owner likes those mushy love story movies.”

“I like mushy love stories too,” said Midge. “My owner watches them sometimes and she cries even when it is happy.”

“That's funny,” said Booker-T.

“Is your owner going to get married?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Booker-T.

“If she does,” said Jake. “Will she move away with him?”

“Oh,” sighed Booker-T. “I didn't think about that. I hope not.”

“Me too,” said Midge. “Does he have a house?”

“I don't know,” said Booker-T. “Maybe I will find out at Christmas.”

“I remember one of those mushy love movies my owners watched,” said Midge. “The man gave the woman an engagement ring on Christmas day.”

“Maybe your owner's boyfriend will give her a ring this Christmas,” said Jake.

“But I don't want to move away from you guys,” said Booker-T.

“Don't get too worried yet, Booker-T,” said Jake. “You have to wait and see what happens first.”

“Yes,” said Midge. “Maybe she won't want to marry him. We don't want you to move away either. But Jake is right. You have to wait and see what happens.”

“I will try not to worry,” said Booker-T. “But you know me, I always worry.”

“I know Booker-T. “ said Midge.

“What do you want for Christmas, Midge?” asked Jake.

“I want a new chew bone and some snacks,” smiled Midge “And maybe a nice pink sweater for winter.”

“What do you want Jake?” asked Booker-T.

“I want a lot of snacks too and one of those big rawhide bones,” said Jake. "And maybe a nice red sweater for winter too.”

“What do you want Booker-T?” asked Midge.

“I want some snacks too and a catnip ball to play with,” said Booker-T. “Most of all I want my owner to stay in our house next to you Midge.”

“Do you want a sweater?” asked Jake.

“Oh yes,” said Booker-T. “I would love to have an orange sweater.”

“I hope we all get what we want when Santa comes Saturday night,” said Midge.

“Me too,” said Jake.

“Have you ever seen Santa?” asked Booker-T.

“No,” said Midge. “Only in pictures.”

“Lets go see the real Santa,” said Midge. “Today is his day at the school.”

“Okay,” agreed Jake.

“Okay,” said Booker-T.

They hurried along the sidewalk to the school.

“Look over there,” said Jake. “There is Santa's car.”

“Santa don't drive a car,” said Midge. “He drives a sleigh with those deer.”

“Well, today he is driving a car,” laughed Jake. “See the side of the car says, Santa.”

They saw Santa climb out of the big red car and go into the school. They ran to the school and slipped into the building through the partially opened door. Inside they saw many kids who were waiting to see Santa.. At one end of the big room stood a big red velvet chair with a Christmas tree standing in the corner with presents under it and beautiful colored lights all around it.  Santa sat down in the big red chair and the young girl dressed in green turned on the Christmas music on a music player in the other corner of the room.

The kids were all laughing and eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate or milk. Some really young ones were little afraid of the big fat man in the red suit. One by one, they sat on Santa's lap and the young lady in the green suit took their pictures. They sat down to watch as each child sat on Santa's lap. After about an hour, Jake was ready to go home. “I want to sit on Santa's lap,” said Midge.

“I don't think Santa talks to dogs and asks them what they want for Christmas,” said Jake.

When the last child in line, climbed off Santa's lap, Midge ran and leaped into his lap.

“Oh, my!” said Santa. “Where did you come from?”

Midge nudged his arm and Santa patted her on top of the head. In a few minutes, she jumped down and joined her friends. She turned to look back at Santa. He smiled as they walked away.

“Did he say anything to you?” asked Booker-T.

“No,” said Midge. “He just patted me on the head and smiled.”

“I heard he knows every boy and girl because he has a big list,” said Jake.

“Do you think he knows all the dogs and cats too?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Maybe he does.”

“Merry Christmas everyone,” said Midge, Jake and Booker-T.