A growing puppy

FLD Dutch looks down from the balcony.

Ten days before Christmas we spent some time at Jen's. Dutch liked playing in the hallway, high above the living room. He was able to squeeze his head through the bannister posts.

Dutch croons.

One week later, he could not.

Close encounter of the feline-kind

Gus lets out a long, deep WOOF! He bounds down the stairs with Dutch hot on his heels. At the doorway Gus puffs up and stops dead at the edge of the carpet. Just beyond, Peanut is dozing on the treadmill.

Dutch careens around Gus. His feathery paws hit the tile floor as he spots the old cat. He backpedals, but slides beyond the protection of his 65-pound buddy. What is that?!

Dutch skids past Gus when he sees Peanut-the-cat.

Gus bounces forward with another bark. Peanut hisses and lashes out like Muhammad Ali, her declawed paws popping Gus's muzzle from every direction.

He retreats.

Dutch can't contain his curiosity. He ducks his head and inches closer. Peanut meows a warning. Dutch calmly stares her down.

Peanut-the-cat and Dutch have a stare-down.

Before long, Peanut curls up in her cat-bed at the front end of the treadmill; Dutch ventures onto the rubbery surface to investigate.

Peanut-the-cat keeps a keen watch from the safety of her bed. Meanwhile, Dutch sniffs out the scene.

Cat and puppy truce.

Peanut-the-cat lives with Andy's daughter Jen and her husband Jeff. We visited them over the holidays.

And to all a good night...

FLD Dutch wishes everyone

a very

Merry Christmas!

May you find fuzzy love under YOUR tree!

All in good stride.

Career-changed Gus is super tolerant of young Mr. Dutch.

Straddle his back and chew his ears while he's laying down? No problem. When Gus gets tired of it he gets up and wrestles Dutch to the floor.

Dutch pauses in  his ear-chewing. Who me? I'm innocent.

Grab his rear ankles? No problem. Gus dances his way through the house on light feet and keeps on moving.

Swing from his tail? This doesn't seem to bother him at all.

Gus takes refuge on the couch, where he knows Dutch cannot go. Dutch still has hold of Gus's tail!

By the end of the evening, Gus is ready to relax. Dutch is not. We have to be careful--Gus jumps onto our laps to get away from the youngster, whether we're ready for him or not!

Andy relaxes on the couch after dinner. Gus plans his leap.

There is one thing, though, that Gus won't tolerate...

Keep away from my stick!