Christmas is different this year for all of us. And that includes Flossie.
Those of you who follow my column will know that we usually attend a Christmas party with Flossie’s flatcoat retriever friends. It’s a wonderful occasion with festive food for the dogs and plenty of fun and frivolity.
There was a party date in the diary for this year. We were looking forward to the annual celebrations. With the current Covid restrictions in place, we considered a get-together in the garden. The dogs wouldn’t have minded, but as the forecast was for wind and rain, the humans decided that shivering outside wasn’t at all appealing.
We were all disappointed. However, the event wasn’t cancelled altogether. As with so many planned occasions this year, we held a virtual party instead. We dropped off presents at each other’s houses for the dogs and arranged to have seasonal nibbles and drinks online.
After the usual hesitant start and waving around of cameras to get the best positions, I showed Flossie our friends on my laptop. Her ears pricked up at the sound of the familiar voices, but she seemed rather non-plussed.
The other dogs were equally underwhelmed. Occasionally a canine nose snuffled at the screen but I suspect they were bored listening to the chat. It’s something we’ve done throughout the pandemic and our sessions can last for well over two hours. Flossie is now so used to video calls that the novelty has worn off.
She became slightly more interested at the crackle of wrapping paper when I opened one of her presents. But I’m embarrassed to say, she pretty much slept through the entire event. I suppose it didn’t live up to the usual mayhem she enjoys with her four-legged friends.
We are hoping normal business will resume next year, for us all.
Merry Christmas everyone.
As published in the Bath Chronicle, 24 December 2020
Suzy Pope is a certified copywriter and newspaper columnist specialising in pets, business and lifestyle. If you would like help with a writing project, please get in touch.
