*Athena's Corner* Participating in the Holiday Season with Family

Hi Furends! Athena here 😃! So... mommy tells me that you guys seemed to really like the story I shared with you on my last post (remember the one where I spoke about visiting my daddy's resting place for the first time? Yes, that one!) So, since it seems like it was a hit and you guys enjoyed hearing that experience from my perspective, I told her i'd be happy to go ahead and continue sharing my experiences here on simplyathena.blog for you!

As promised on that last post, I would like to share my experience of my first Christmas and New Years with the family. So let's begin!

You see, I have lived through a Christmas with my foster family and a New Year's with mommy and daddy so it wasn't technically my "first full" holiday season; however, when mommy picked me up and brought me home on December 29th of 2022, I was only 8 weeks old so... this was the first opportunity to have a holiday season with my family (not to mention we did not go to mommy's family for any gathering's last year). As you know, we lost daddy in November, so I can't say that this was a "Happy" Holiday Season; however, what I can say is that it was a special time because mommy, my grandpawrents, and I were all surrounded by a lot of much needed love and support during this time. It was also a special time because, for the first time, I was able to get to know mommy's side of the family WAY better.

You see, mommy's family normally splits the holiday gatherings amongst each other, each family picking a day to host an evening of snacks/food, chatting, and music; thus, this year that mommy actually went to a few of these gatherings, I was able to spend Christmas and New Year's at two different homes. Of course, being the strong-willed Dachshund I am, I was quite skeptical/nervous of everyone at first and became a little territorial with my immediate hoomans (AKA: mom, grandma, and grandpa). I took my job of growling and barking very VERY seriously but, once mommy thanked me for protecting her and the grandpawrents and after she explained to me that those other hoomans were also good hoomans (she called them aunts, uncles, and cousins... family she said), I saw how nice/sweet they were to her I too wanted some love and let my guard down. I decided it was ok to turn off my protective Dachshund senses and to allow them to pet me and play with me... plus I was also getting bored with everyone being cautious with my barking... LOL!

It was also very nice hearing the family talk to mommy and the grandpawrents and seeing how they let them know how much they love them and supported them. During these conversations, although very sweet and kind, I did get a bit bored so I upon myself to do a little exploring around both houses (had to definitely make sure I and the hoomans were safe... family was barely winning me over). I mainly stuck around the kitchens as they had A LOT of yummy hooman food everywhere. I turned into the Dachshund version of my bloodhound cousins and sniffed and searched everywhere I could for a piece of buñuelo, natilla, or any other snack/food that I could get a nose on. Unfortunately for me, mommy has eyes on the back of her head; thus, I was forced to stick with my kibble. At one of our aunts house I was on extra high alert because I thought I could smell another furend and I was almost right because this furend was also family. It was actually the scent of my fur-cousin, Violet Rose, whom had been there the day and afternoon before we arrived. After I heard our aunt say that she had been around, I had to sniff out her trail and make sure she was also safe for my hoomans to be around (can never be too careful!)

Games and pets were in order for me here and there from everyone as they thought I was super cute! Apparently the family say they met me when mommy brought me home a 2 months old but I was so little I don't remember. This is why I did not realize how much fun it could be to play with them or have them around me! Heck, remember that fur-cousin I was telling you about? I even found out that SHE was super nice 😊. Unfortunately, we didn't really get too have too much fun though as there were Christmas fireworks going around in her home so, when she arrived at our aunt's house, she was not having a good time. I tried to help cheer her up and wanted to play but she was shaking too much and was too scared to really pay attention to me (I hear you Violet! I'm exactly the same way with fireworks! Those are no fun at all!)

All-in-all furends, this holiday season was quite interesting and without a doubt did not pass without a HUGE mix of emotions. It was super sad because daddy was not with us for the first time ☹️ *sniff sniff* still miss you daddy *sniff sniff* but it was still special because I got to meet and spend time with mommy's family. It was special to see how much love is in the family and it was also nice to be able to enjoy many new fun things (i.e., new food, new family members, and new music).

I hope you enjoyed this story time and I promise to be back soon with more of my perspective on our family adventures! If you liked this story time, please don't forget to comment/subscribe to simplyathena.blog or to follow mommy and I on Instagram @simplyathena.blog.

❤️ Much Love my Furends ❤️

XOXO Athena XOXO