Cooper and Santa Claus

Our almost-two-year-old Beagle, Cooper, has an issue with Santa Claus—a particular soft stuffed Santa Claus from my late mother-in-law's collection.

Last Christmas was Cooper's first Christmas with us. He had come to live with us in September, a 7-month-old lively, lovable and loving, but untrained, Beagle. My husband and I decorated for Christmas, putting his mother's Santa collection on the dining room table: Santa Claus in a rocking chair; a Santa Claus candy jar and four matching mugs—more ceramic and glass Santas, except for the one soft stuffed Santa with a jingle bell attached to his hat.

Maybe it was the jingle bell that attracted Cooper or the soft texture of the body. For whatever reason, he loved Santa. He'd trot across the dining room table (a forbidden activity), pick up Santa and, head high and tail wagging, hop off the table. Sometimes he'd get to play Humans Chasing Beagle until he dropped Santa; other times, we'd find Santa on the floor, on the sofa or on a chair. Cooper would shake Santa and play with him, but Santa never showed any signs of injury, amazing since Cooper chewed on everything and left holes in everything.

This year, we put the Santas out again. Cooper wasn't interested. Then one evening we came home from visiting our neighbor to find Santa laying on the floor. No injuries, although a piece of velcro was loose.

The next morning, David asked me if Santa was ok. I picked him up, checked the loose velcro and noticed a switch between Santa's feet. I turned it on and Santa began to play "Rudoph the Red Nosed Reindeer," dancing around on the table.

Immediately, Cooper had his paws on the table, looking intently and curiously at the dancing Santa. It stopped; he barked; it started again. It stopped. David clapped. Santa started dancing and playing.

We put Santa on the floor to see what Cooper would do. Cooper was curious, but timid. He barked (which of course started Santa up again) and finally mustered enough courage to creep close enough to Santa to sniff him.

Several hours later, I was in the kitchen when I heard "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." I rounded the corner and saw Cooper standing in the middle of the table, his mouth around Santa, his legs bent for a jump onto the floor. I reprimanded Cooper and retrieved Santa. Before long, I'd hear Santa again. We played the reprimand and retrieval game several times.

Santa is now safely out of Beagle reach.