The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

A couple weeks ago, the Polar Bear somehow managed to rip his weird little claw that grows from the bone of his leg between his extra dew claw and his foot. He did not rip it completely off but rather ripped the nail so short that the entire quick was hanging out. This resulted in him licking it continuously and me, who can easily stand in a room with a body that has been decomposing for months with no adverse effects, feeling overwhelming nausea every time I looked at it. So a phone call to the vet and out came the band aids, neosporin, gauze, tape and sock. The result of my surgery:

You suck mom.

Of course he promptly went right outside and pulled it all off. But I was able to tape and bandage it long enough for the nail to grow back and cover the quick and he has since fully recovered.

PB went to see the behaviorist yesterday for his 6 month evaluation. She was amazed at how far he has come even since she last saw him. He walked in through the door of his own accord; he did not once bark, growl or mutter at her and he actually lay down in a relaxed manner and slept while we talked. We introduced him to her elderly female Shiba Inu and he did fine. Just like taking a car to the mechanic - you cannot reproduce your complaint when you're actually there! But she has several other very large dogs and we will meet at a park near my house in January so she can see what his dog reactivity looks like. Otherwise, we were both very proud and pleased with my big white bear. In fact, she asked for a photo and a little written blurb about his story and background to post on her website as a success story. His 2 year anniversary of coming to live with me passed several days ago and the change in him is extraordinary.

PB however, is not impressed with any of this and if the foot surgery wasn't enough for him to think of me as the Grinch, putting up the tree and blocking his view of the street was the final straw.



Yes, the tree is crooked. I know. A friend and I went to cut down our own trees this year and in a moment of poor planning, we decided to do so in the dark. It *looked* straight at the time. I spent far too long crawling around on the floor adjusting the screws in the stand before I realized the trunk itself is crooked. Oh well. Everything else in my house has personality, why not the tree too?


PB is also mildly disturbed by the many Santas that are standing guard around the living room. These are the left overs of my mom's army of Santas. PB casts a baleful eye on them whenever he gets close to one.

Back off old man.

Unfortunately, no snow for us this year. PB and I will go back over to Leavenworth next week to play in the snow and see the lights.

The kitties wish you all a Merry Christmas. I would post a photo of them too except that they are halfway up the Christmas tree, pulling garland and ornaments off. We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!