It's Christmas eve...seeking funny holiday pet stories

Some of my most amusing childhood memories from the holidays involve one of our dogs. There's always the classic moment when the family pooch would explore the dinner table, especially the butter dish, before we sat down. They always loved a good stick of butter. If only they had a chance to taste a lovely butter from Normandy.

My favorite though was the year when my mom decided to set up an "old fashioned" Christmas tree. We made strings of popcorn and cranberries and used that instead of strings of tinsel. Upon arriving home on Christmas eve after visits with cousins in Philly, we found the tree on it's side and "Happy" the dog finishing the last few morsels of popcorn that she pulled down from the tree. The living room scene of a downed tree, broken Christmas decorations and cranberry pieces was quite the spectacle. I think Santa received a beer that year instead of milk and cookies.

What are your favorite, funny Christmas stories that involved a family pet?