We settled back into our routine so quickly that you wouldn't think Studmuffin had ever been gone. Of course my familiar thought all the Christmas decorations were for him as a welcome-home gift, which...sure. Why not? I was just glad he was home with me again.

Even when the "Christmas tree fainted" overnight. His words.

"Uh-huh," I'd said and then laughed.

No way I could be mad at him for trying to conquer his nemesis known as the Christmas tree. And spilling all of ...