The next instalment of my investigation into Christmas as enjoyed around the world. As I have a large number of pals who are Border Terriers I thought I would make this blog purely on their views. In fact I am an honorary member of the BT Posse, a fine and venerable group alongside the BeagleBug Club.
For reference Moss lives in New Zealand. Topa lives in California. Hamish lives in Scotland.
If you had one chance to see one place in the world at Christmas where would it be?
Moss: I would like to meet my grandad. M would like to meet David Bowie
Hamish: My sofa with friends and family.
You can meet one person at Christmas, who?
Moss: I would like to meet my grandad. Mum would like to meet David Bowie.
Topa: My Mums parents. I’ve heard they love dogs but they live 3000 miles across the country and I’m too big to fly.
Hamish: You Dexter!
Best thing about Christmas?
Moss: Lots of fuss from the family and helping them unwrap their pressies. I’m a big help and Christmas ham is always tasty. Mum says it’s being able to legitimately ignore work emails
Hamish: BTPosse Secret Santa…..all these furs and people who haven’t met do something kind and fun for someone else. It’s lovely and it’s all thanks to Hamish HRH who is a logistical genius!
Worst thing about it?
Moss: Me – what’s not to love about fussing and Christmas ham? Mum says she doesn’t like the commercialisation of it and pressure on families to have Instagram perfect Christmases
Topa: This year my Mums are going away without me.
Hamish: Thinking about the furs and little humans not as fortunate as us.
Sprouts or no sprouts?
Moss: Sprouts! With almonds and pancetta
Topa: Hmm. Sprouts aren’t really a Christmas thing here in the US, but I always love a good raw, smelly brassica to crunch on!
Hamish: M used to hate them when she little, now she loves them! Her taste bugs getting old I think
One gift you could give to one friend?
Moss: I would like Frank the BT living with Mr Mike to get better and for my other pals who are sick to get better. Mum has a colleague who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He has a young family. She would like him to have more time. (Sorry to be heavy hedgehog as Hamish would say)
Topa: I would give my pal Gracie Rae Good Girl, my Border Terrier friend here in my town, no more operations or health issues for the rest of her life.
Hamish: We wish we could give a thank you to all the folk who have to work on Christmas Day.
Something you would like to receive?
Moss: squeaky pigs please Mum wants an email wizard who would clear up her inbox and file everything correctly
Hamish: This is a tough one but I’m 11 soon and I feel time be flying in. So the gift of time please.
Best Christmas song?
Moss: Fairytale of NY – no contest!
Topa: Anything that my Scottish pal Roky Boyd (@RokAndWag) has written.
Hamish: The Coventry Carol.
Do you think Christmas has lost its meaning?
Moss: We’re not a religious household at all so it couldn’t lose that meaning but it’s definitely more commercial. For us it’s about time out with family and friends.
Topa: I don’t know. I’m only three.
Hamish: Yes and no! I guess it’s up to each and everyone of us to keep what it means in our hearts and try to live up to that all year round.
Has it been watered down into a purely commercial thing?
Moss: See above.
Topa: See above.
Hamish: Again it is but only if we let it!
Do you wear reindeer ears at Christmas, or should they stay on the reindeer?
Moss: I don’t wear reindeer ears. Mum does. I have also been known to nom them if she leaves them lying about.
Topa: Definitely for reindeer only. I hate things on my head.
Hamish: They can keep their antlers !
New Years Resolution or are they a total waste of time?
Moss: You can make resolutions at any time of the year but there is something appealing about re-setting the clock.
Hamish: Just to keep trying to have fun and be the best terrier I can be!
Bring back one thing about Christmas past?
Moss: Gooseberry creme from the Quality Street tins!
Hamish: Remember the satsumas wrapped in the wax paper: bring them back!
Home Alone or A Christmas Carol?
Moss: Neither – Die Hard! Ok – Home Alone.
Hamish: Christmas Carol (the muppets version)
Would you rather have Christmas with friends or with your parents?
Moss: We are lucky and do both. It would be nice to have Christmas with the UK family.
Topa: Definitely with my Mums because I love them best. But I love Gracie and her Mums, too, so perfect Christmas would be all 6 of us.
Hamish: We now do Christmas with family and Boxing Day with friends! It works well!
Do you get turkey shares?
Moss: We don’t have a turkey but I get Christmas ham!
Topa: Not so far. I’ve only had two Christmases with my Mums and they haven’t had turkey at either one.
Hamish: I get a little bit.
Do you think you will have snow at Christmas? Do you like snow at Christmas?
Moss: We will never have snow in a million years. Beach baby! I think I’d like to try it. Mum doesn’t like it. It’s a pain to drive in.
Topa: Not where I live in Southern California! But we do get snow in the mountains near here. I think it would be fun to play in, but I don’t really know first hand.
Hamish: It seems really mild so probably no snow.
Cluedo or Scrabble? Who wins?
Moss: Can we have both Cluedo and Scrabble please? Mum and Dad fiercely contest Scrabble but Dad is tricksy and usually wins. Mum wins Cluedo
Hamish: My mum can’t spell so scrabble a disaster for her.
Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly? Who wins?
Moss: Trivial Pursuit. Can’t stand Monopoly as it goes on too long.
Hamish: We likes trivial pursuits
Fairy or a star on top of the Christmas Tree?
Moss: Star. MERI KIRIHIMETE!
Topa: We have a wooden yellow bird with a scarf around its neck on the top of our tree.
Dexter 