Dear Santa,
Sometimes, you have to wonder at people… I mean, last time Rex told us one of his stories, he just told us about the things he sort of got in trouble for. It turns out, though, that he’s pretty much a hero and never mentioned it…
Mind you, there are lots of people who are real heroes and never say a word. The quiet ones who look out for everyone else… the ones who work behind the scenes who no-one notices… the ones who never blow their own trumpet and don’t even think they are remarkable in any way.
And many of them have been especially busy this year, looking after the people this horrible bug has kept indoors and made lonely. If there is room in your sack for a bit extra this years, Santa… maybe you could sprinkle a bit of magic for them…
Much love,
Ani xxx
If you would like to join the fun and be part of my Advent Calendar, just send me your Christmas stories, poems and memories… or even share your letters to Santa Paws.
I’d love to hear from anyone with fur or feathers, four-legs or even two!
(Email my two-legs at findme@scvincent.com).
Dear Ani,
It’s your old friend, Rex. If you remember, I caught the flying turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious, and I was in trouble. Some trouble is worth the risk. I know you like to chase and catch balls. I do too! I also like to chase and catch ducks. I’m a black lab, after all.
One day my two-legged took me duck hunting. This was our favorite sport most weekends. We rode in a canoe. I was good at keeping a sharp eye out for any ducks nearby. Well, that day something happened in the canoe and it tipped over. My two-legged was wearing rubber waders that fit like overalls. Oh, he was an excellent swimmer, but when he fell into the water as the canoe tipped over, water poured into his waders. He was sinking pretty fast. I did what any good lab would do- I took hold of his wader with my teeth and swam to shore. Boy, that was hard work.
I remember lots of cheering from fellow duck hunters nearby. My two-legged’s son wrote the whole story and sent it to Field and Stream magazine. All I know is that it was really hard to pull him to shore, even for me. I’d rather be chasing ducks, or balls with you.
Your friend,
Rex
About Rex’s two-legs:
Jennie Fitzkee has been teaching preschool for over thirty years. This is her passion. She believes that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It’s the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That’s what she writes about.
She is highlighted in the the new edition of Jim Trelease’s bestselling book, “The Read-Aloud Handbook” because of her reading to children. Her class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at both the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital.
Follow Jennie on her blog, A Teacher’s Reflections.
The Small Dog 
Hi Jenny great to meet you here at Ani’s Advent Calendar. What a hero Rex is saving they day and his master.
Well Ani, fancy that a canine twolegs rescuer! Lots of love Ruby 💜
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❤
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Well done, Rex – nice to read about a real life hero! ❤
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Thank you for sharing Rex’s story 🙂
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Rex, a king amongst canines!
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Great to read about Rex and what a hero he is! Dot and I are very impressed.
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Woof Woof!
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Wow, that’s quite a story, Ani! Rex is a true hero. Now that he’s on your blog, he’s even more famous. ❤ ❤
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A real hero – great story.
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Oh wow, what a hero. High five paw love from Dante Dawg. xxx
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Rex, you’re a true hero. I hope you get a fitting reward of lots more duck and ball chasing. There really should be an annual animal heroes award ceremony, just like they have for two-legses. And Ani, that’s a great letter to Santa. 🙂 ❤
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What a heroic deed, Rex! (Kinda makes up for the turkey incident.)
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What a fun series this is! Ani and her friends are rock stars.
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They are wonderful, Pete, and it is always amazing to hear their stories.
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Oh my, Ani, what a story. Rex certainly is a hero.
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What a wonderful hero and I hope Rex get’s a medal.. or at least some turkey.. thanks Jennie for sharing his story..xx
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Love them! My previous dog, a Boxer, was named Rex, the present one, a French Bulldog is a Leo. Sorry, this ….laptop still won’t let me ‘like’ the article, it will some but not others.
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I have that problem sometimes, Danny.
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Well done, Rex… a true hero… Woof.. Saangchai and my mistress(the) one who hogs the keyboard… Woof
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Congratulations to Jennie, for beeing highlighte in the handbook. Then: Ani, you should do some hunting too. Lets fill the dish for Christmas. 😉 I am sure in your area are always some pigeons around. Thank you for introducing another one of your fourlegged friends, and enjoy the weekend! Michael
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