Doesn't everyone do all their Christmas shopping at PetSmart?

OK, enough of me whining about the cold weather here in Arizona; let's move on.

Let's first go back to this time last year. Same home, same dog (Fanci), and - as you're about to see - same Christmas shopping.

December 2014 - Greg at PetSmart

2014 - Greg teasing Fanci with her new toy

When you're far away from any family at Christmas, any semblance of usual Christmas shopping or celebrations just don't happen. This year we spent time with our family at Thanksgiving, including giving gifts then, in place of Christmas. So, we're off the hook for any Christmas shopping for family.

So, where did we go Christmas shopping today? You guessed it, to PetSmart. See how complicated it is ... Greg's scratching his head (and his new haircut) over it. The selection truly is overwhelming!

Does this look like a replay of 2014?

What did we buy? This time, two toys for Fanci (along with a third at the next store). What is he pointing out here, for the benefit of Fanci's owners?

That there are FIVE squeakers in this toy! I guess he wants to torment them. So, right there in the store, off we send an iMessage to the owners, showing off Fanci's new noisy toy. Greg can be cruel at times, you know :)

We came home and, of course, Greg has no intention of waiting until Christmas Day to give these toys to Fanci. She enjoyed playing with them, and within an hour I sent a follow-up photo to the owners ...

... letting them know that the 5-squeaker toy was already earless and so had already become a 4-squeaker toy. I have no doubt this poor thing will be without limbs by the time they come home later this month.

As for the reindeer, I think he looks terrified, but Greg says he's just cross-eyed :) Let's see if Greg can keep the third toy until Christmas Day, although Fanci does have presents under the tree from her owners too.

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Current location: Peoria, Arizona, USA
Housesit: Fanci, a small standard poodle
Weather: currently 45ºF (7ºC) at 8 pm
Forecast: high of 56ºF (13ºC) low of 33ºF (0ºC)
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Reminder: We have the prior approval of owners before posting photos and/or stories of their homes or pets.