By chimney

Tradition dictates the decorations are up for Christmas within roughly 79 hours of the removal of the Thanksgiving turkey.  This gives the dog named Hamish nearly a full month to recall the significance and revere at the Christmas stocking.  Hung with care in the living room, the stocking annually contains dog goodies like bones and treats.  There once was a pastor who claimed dogs had no memory.  Funny thing,  he was wrong twice.  He's not a pastor and Hamish has a memory.  Each night in the march toward Christmas Ham is excited to enter the room, sit down, stare at and sniff the empty stocking.  The assumed position is the definition of sit - any dog trainer would be proud.  He locates in front of the stocking and looks at it like a Leprechaun finding a rainbow.  He is told that Santa is coming soon and likely believes the next day will bring a stocking filled with dog fun.  It's a pattern that easily could be a 15-page book for kids, Hammy and the Stocking.  It is yet another way to enjoy the total simplicity of the holiday season, from a paw point of view.