Our nice, calm Sheltie, Lily (Sunebank Summer Piccalily) is very photogenic. Although not a Christmas picture per se, the shot below taken by the semi-world famous Presto Dog photographer captured her by the fireplace, a sort or wintery setting:

I mention "a sort of wintery setting" because here on the East Coast of the USA, it's Christmas day and about 45 degrees. That's really not the temperature we're used to at this time of year, and most definately NOT the type of weather we all hoped for for this special day.

Oh, well. Although some may say they think we'll probably get through this season without any inclement weather (a.K.A. SNOW) I have a funy feeling Mother Nature's gonna prove 'em wrong.

And, that's the kind of weather our three Shelties and Collie love, but I gotta admit I don't relish the thought of trying to clean the ice & snow from between the pads on the dogs' feet!

Universally acknowledged as the patron saint of animals, St. Francis was born in 1182. Although he didn't acually write the words below, they're said to encompass his beliefs:

Lord, make me a instrument of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;
to understand, than to be understood;
to love, than to be loved.
For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.

Merry Christmas and peace to you and yours.