The tree is up, the stockings are hung, the lights outside are strung over the bushes, shopping has started, presents are beginning to appear under the tree, cards are waiting to be addressed, and Christmas music is blaring away. 
And Motch started baking. Yummmmmm! I stood faithfully by her side as she worked in the kitchen and was careful to avoid being stepped on. Hour after hour, I stood at attention and found my reward in a few pretzels and some chex mix that fell to the floor.
On the dresser lies a very small piece of rawhide, which all three of us wanted.
This is what she found in Leah's room. And what did she do? She assumed that I left the poop on the floor and started saying things like, "Petra, you're a BAAAAAD girl....you're a NAUGHTY girl....you don't got potty in the house, Petra...you're a BAAAAD girl."
I just looked at her and didn't say a word. Her voiced was louder than usual so everybody came upstairs to see what was going on. Upon examining the poo, Hannah said she didn't think it was mine. Thank you, Hannah.
And she said it wasn't Fig's.
Tad just jumped on the bed and pretended like he didn't understand English when she said it belonged to him. 
Hannah cleaned up the poo and threw it in the toilet before he could eat it. 
He never said he was sorry that I got blamed. He just sat there and tried to look innocent. 
I forgot what snow was, so I ran out the door like a bandit. 
And then I immediately turned around and came back.
And lucky for me, the snow hadn't yet made its way to the side of our house.
I wasn't happy, but at least I found a spot to do my business, and then I hurried inside and stayed there. 
(pumpkin pie)
(throwing up pumpkin pie)
She pulled it from the closet, and I found its straps and had lots of fun unraveling the bag. Motch was busy with other things, but suddenly I heard her say "PETRA! NOOOOOOO!"
Motch will be working at home tomorrow getting ready for company and she won't be on the computer, so I just want to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone! 
This was my first picture. I'm standing on the blanket that was wrapped around me when I sat in Motch's lap on the drive to my new home. I haven't even torn this one apart! 
Here I am now, looking much older and wiser. The crate has been moved to the laundry room because I don't stay in it very much anymore, much to my delight and pleasure.
Thank you all for being my friends and coming to visit me and letting me visit you on your blogs. Next to my family, you are on the top of my list of thanksgiving blessings! 
Unfortunately, this was as close to the cake as I got. No ice cream or cake for Petra, nuh-uh. So Tad and I played with Grammy's bears ~~ unsupervised ~~ because everyone else was eating, and Fig stayed under the table to eat crumbs.
He didn't even get in trouble, probably because it was a night of food and laughter and hugs and smiles. 
All of the hours we spent working together on her thesis paid off, and I know she's thankful for the help I offered as we labored together night and day, month after month.
Since Motch works at the university, she took time off to stand with Leah. Except she had to sit and not talk (Leah's rules). She left her building and walked to the meeting. 
Leah didn't know she brought her camera, but I asked her to take it so I could see pictures since I couldn't go. Anyway, Motch tried to take a picture of Leah leaving her office but Leah said "NO" and got mad. So Motch put the camera away and tried to obey the rules so she wouldn't get kicked out of the defense.
After 45 minutes, the decision was made and Leah was told she passed! She was so happy that she let Motch take her picture with the Chair of her committee and another committee member who was present via phone.
And I didn't want to face the camera, either.
This went on forever, and I tried napping during the photo shoot.
I ended up getting treats which helped alot, and here I am ~~ totally focused on what was about to enter my mouth.
All in all, the treats made up for all of the pictures I had to endure, and I survived another photo session. Now get me outa here. 
