Christmas for Dually

Patricia Wonder, Texas A&M University

Life as a Vet Student, Honorable Mention

    One Christmas, about ten years ago, my mom decided to forego the usual Christmas turkey and prepare a prime rib instead.  Needless to say, since we are always tired of turkey by Christmas time, the Christmas prime rib became a tradition in our household.  One year, my mother was very sick and I had to prepare Christmas dinner on my own.  After all the stress and worry, I was amazed at how smoothly everything went.  Our family and guests loved the meal and we were all retiring to the living room to chat and watch TV for a bit.  I just wanted a half hour of sitting before I got up to put everything in containers and clean the kitchen, but that was not to be.  After about ten minutes of rest and relaxation, I heard a clatter coming from the kitchen and my Great Dane, Dually, came running out with the five pounds of prime rib which was left over from dinner. 

    As if it wasn't bad enough he stole our dinner for the next few days, Dually went to town on that beautiful, juicy, medium rare prime rib right on the living room couch.  We all immediately jumped into action to get the dog, and the prime rib, off the couch.  Dually was having none of it.  We all know Great Danes are usually very docile and quiet creatures.  However, all bets are off when there is a prime rib on the line.  After a large to-do, the prime rib was quickly scooped off the couch with a flat shovel and heaved out the back door with Dually, and four other dogs, chasing it down.  Dually enjoyed his prime rib immensely and came back in the house, ready for bed, about an hour later.

    The very next year, we all enjoyed our traditional prime rib, made by my mother this time, along with all the other wonderful dishes.  We had just retired, once again to settle down to watch TV, when Dually walked out of the kitchen with the leftover prime rib in his mouth... AGAIN.  Instead of creating a scene and drawing the attention of the other dogs.  Dually just walked straight to the door and stood there.  We all just laughed as my dad let him out to enjoy HIS new found tradition.

    I'm sorry to say, we didn't get to spend the last couple of Christmases with Dually.  He survived a spinal injury, GDV surgery, and many other problems (none related to eating prime rib), but, as we all know, we eventually have to say goodbye to our furry family members.  I had ten happy years with him and made sure he enjoyed a prime rib as his last meal.  Dually was my first love and I'll never forget him... especially every Christmas when we sit down to our traditional prime rib dinner.