Happy New Year - and a look back at Christmas

I've had a lovely lovely Christmas and New Year break with the family and done lots of eating, playing, walking and just lolling lazily about.

My first blog post of 2012 has to be a quick look back at Christmas morning in our house to share with you my excitement about the three great presents that Santa brought me.

The first one was the most exciting and special (I thought). Forgive the blurred photos below but they capture the speed with which I moved to protect the great gift.

The Lady Of the House read out the tag and told me Santa had sent it from her cousin, Laetitia, husband Melvin and their lovely daughters Katie and Rebecca. I KNEW it was something great so I tried to help her open it QUICKER.

It was a Christmas reindeer in a Santa hat! The LOTH wanted to get the cardboard and the plastic off it - but I thought this might be a trick so SHE could keep it and play with it herself.

We had a little tussle.

I knew I had to move FAST.

So I grabbed my dear deer and headed out of the room to safety.

Only when I was sure that I had made my point did I come back - and then I kept my paw on my new toy for a long, long time.

My other great presents were - a toy frog....

....and a squeaky, cuddly, turkey.

When you are not playing with him he makes a great pillow.

I hope Santa brought you all you wanted and that 2012 is a great year for you all. I'll head off now to visit some of your blogs and catch up with your Christmas and New Year fun and games.

From Winnie to Winnie

Today I want to say a special hello to a beautiful girl with a beautiful name!

Pictured below is ANOTHER Winnie the greyhound who came to live with her forever family in Tennessee one year ago today.

She is obviously a very kind and accommodating greyhound as she is seen here with one of her cats called Annabelle. She also lives with a black cat called Nori.

"Cats really are not all that bad," she says.

Takes all sorts.

Winnie from Tennessee follows me on Facebook

Her mum sent me a lovely surprise parcel yesterday. When we opened it look what was inside.

What a beautiful suncatcher. We are now working on finding just the perfect place in the house to show it off.

Tennessee Winnie's mum made one for her - and then realised it looked like me too! So she made me one!! I am so thrilled. Thank you so very, very much! We will always treasure it.

Look what Sonja made!

I am particularly happy and comfy-cosy right now thanks to this beautiful knitted patchwork blanket that has been made for me by the Lady Of The House's friend Sonja.

Isn't it lovely? As soon as the LOTH brought it home I had my nose inside the bag it was in and I just KNEW it was something for me.

I think it's beautiful and it must have taken her ages to do.

Thank you Sonja.