Shayla tells her mom that Arby knows it’s
Shayla stood at the threshold of the kitchen, watching her mother meticulously chop vegetables for dinner. The rhythmic sound of the knife on the cutting board seemed to fill the room with an air of normalcy, but her heart raced with the weight of what she was about to share.
“Mom?” Shayla’s voice trembled slightly, slicing through the gentle ambiance. Her mother looked up, her brow arching in curiosity.
“Yes, sweetie? What’s on your mind?” Her mother wiped her hands on a kitchen towel and leaned against the counter, giving Shayla her full attention.
Taking a deep breath, Shayla said, “I think Arby knows it’s… well, you know, Christmas.”
An expression of surprise washed over her mother’s face, her eyes widening just a bit. “What do you mean?” she asked, feigning nonchalance but failing to hide her interest.
“Yesterday, I saw him staring at the decorations,” Shayla continued, her fingers playing nervously with a loose thread on her sweater. “And when I mentioned the advent calendar, he perked up like I’d given him a treat! It’s like he already knows what’s coming.”
Her mother chuckled softly, remembering the little golden retriever puppy they had brought home two months ago. Arby was a lively ball of energy, easily distracted by the rustle of wrapping paper or the scent of cookies baking in the oven. “He’s a smart little guy,” her mother replied. “But he doesn’t know about Christmas, Shayla. He probably just sensed the excitement in the air.”
“I don’t know. He has a way of looking at me, like he understands everything I say,” Shayla insisted. “And the way he followed me to the attic when I was carrying down the decorations? I swear, he was trying to help me as if he knew what was going on.”
Her mother’s laughter rang through the kitchen, warm and comforting. “You’re giving him too much credit. But it’s adorable how much you believe he knows.”
“Mom! Just think about it! Last year, when we were wrapping gifts, he kept trying to sneak a paw on the ribbons. And when we played carols, he barked along! What if he knows this year is special?” Shayla said, her enthusiasm infectious.
Her mother watched her, caught between reverie and reality. “Well, perhaps in some ways he does understand. Animals are very intuitive; they can sense our feelings and moods. But you know, Christmas is about all of us being together, sharing joy, and spreading love — and we can definitely include Arby in that!”
Shayla nodded slowly, her apprehension fading as the spark of joy in her mother’s eyes ignited her own. “You’re right! Arby has become part of our family. We should let him join in the festivities!”
The two of them bounced ideas back and forth, sketching plans to include Arby in their holiday traditions. From introducing him to the sensation of fresh pine as they selected the Christmas tree, to teaching him to wear a festive little scarf, Shayla’s mind brimmed with holiday possibilities.
As they decorated that evening, with twinkling lights draped around the living room, Arby pounced through the scattered decorations, tail wagging with unrestrained excitement. Shayla couldn’t help but laugh when he tried to catch the shimmering fairy lights hanging from the tree.
“See, Mom? He knows it’s special!” she shouted, her heart swelling with affection for both her puppy and her family.
Her mother smiled, wrapping her arm around Shayla’s shoulders. “Yes, I think he does. It’s the holiday spirit!”
As they both sat on the floor, wrapping gifts and chatting about their favorite Christmas memories, Arby nestled between them, yawning with contentment. Shayla looked down at him, whispering, “I’m glad you’re here, buddy. I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with you!”
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