“Merry Woofmas” from Joanie the Museum Dog of Civil War Tails! She has her begging face and Christmas hat on as she writes to Santa this year…

Dear Santa,

This is Joan, the Villalobos dog. I have a new name and address this year. I’m Joanie, now, and guess what? I got a home! I live at Civil War Tails in Gettysburg, PA now. That’s “tails” not “trails.” I hope it’s not confusing. Oh, the cats here say that you know where we are, because they saved you from COVID in 2020. That’s good, because some people have trouble finding us, so I was worried you might not find me this year.

I feel a little silly writing to you. I feel like I already got my Christmas presents. I have a really nice home, with more toys than I know what to do with, and lots of blankets and beds. I get a chomp treat every day, too. My home came with an amazing sofa. I didn’t know what a sofa was or how to get onto it, but I learned quickly. It’s such a nice bed! It’s perfect for rolling on and squishing my face into! My hoomans tell me, “Watch out! You’ll roll off!” but I don’t know what that means. Sometimes I end up on the floor and I don’t know what happened, but I just jump back on. It makes my hoomans laugh, so that makes me happy.

I’m trying hard to be a good pup, Santa. But sometimes, I mess up. I don’t mean to, but I’m still learning how to be a house dog, so please don’t count it as being naughty! You see, sometimes, I forget that my hooman is on the walk with me and I try to chase squirrels. Other times, I love her so much that I want to defend her from other dogs, but she doesn’t like me doing that, either. When we’re home, I follow her everywhere to make sure she’s safe, but if she leaves me, I get lonely and steal her sweatshirt. But I don’t hurt it; I just want it to keep me company. She doesn’t seem to mind, so I think I’m not being naughty?

Everything is so different from New Orleans! I love being outside, exploring what Pennsylvania is like. First, it was exciting learning about Yankee squirrels. Now, the leaves are falling off the trees. Up in town they’re okay to walk on, but I don’t like walking on the big oak leaves around our house. I try to hop over them as quick as I can. Now it’s getting cold. But that’s okay because I have a warm coat that Nana made. And brisk, breezy days are so exciting! There’s just so much to sniff on the wind! Sometimes, my hooman asks, “What is the wind saying to you? What stories does it tell?” I wish I could tell her. I don’t suppose you could make me able to speak Hooman?

My hoomans even gave me a job at the museum. I like wearing my bandana and saying hi to visitors. Sometimes, I’m so sleepy that I miss them. Sometimes, I wish my hooman and I could just snuggle on the sofa all day. But other days we spend so much time on the sofa that I’m happy to go back to work in the museum. So it all works out.

If you have extra space on your sleigh, Santa, I would love a big chomp. Sometimes I dream of one that’s two feet long, with a red bow on it. And maybe some cookies! My hoomans have a big tray of cookies, and they look so good. If dogs can have cookies, could I have a few?

Merry Woofmas,

Joanie

Don’t tell Joanie, but the treats on her Christmas list are already tucked away and waiting for her!

Merry Christmas to all, from Rebecca, Ruth, Joanie, and the 9,740 cats at Civil War Tails!