It should be a hanging offense to publish childhood pet memories at Christmastime.
If put to a vote I would surely cast an aye. But that only goes for the unforgivable Marley and Me type of things that some people need to both publish and read for no other discernable purpose than to ruin Kleenex and cause an overall state of weepy depression.
Perhaps disregarding sensible behavior, today I salute Fang and Rags, a canine tag team who took peculiar joy in destruction, which they routinely avoided punishment for by batting their brown eyes and sharing the innocent facial expressions (as seen in the photograph taken on a Polaroid land camera circa 1972 or 73). Fang is the brown Dachsund-Poltergeist mix, Rags the brief white ball of fluff. They both enjoyed long, spoiled lives from 1969 to 1986.
Every year, even in dotage, Fang attacked the Christmas Tree at least once, while Rags, usually more of a loud enabler than a man of action, rooted him on. It was both a source of vexation and even amusement (the smiles, however, seldom arrived before February). Nobody knew why it happened, nor did anyone bother to ask. Fang was amazingly powerful, Mighty Mouse like, and he often felt obliged to display his physical prowess, while yippy-yappy Rags had more of a role similar to that of a “Wrestling Manager.” (I have mentioned the boys’ brand of hooliganism in previous years, in other places, but it continues to remain worth remembering.)
So, to all whose trees are being toppled, packages urinated on and who exist in a constant state of unease, please remember to hold your temper and realize that you are experiencing your The Good Old Days.
Enjoy.
Merry Christmas from Fang and Rags, ever eternal at Saragun Springs.
Leila
Oh, and here is one of the boys’ favorite Christmas songs:
Saragun Springs 
Merry Christmas to all the inhabitants of The Springs adn the major overlord! whoever that actually might be (I have a feeling it might be a certain pygmy goatess – but then what would I know.) dd
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Merry Christmas Diane
And I think it still has value despite what the world has done to it.
And yessly yes, the site is drivenly driven by the beatly beat of hoofly Pygmy Goatess hooves.
Leila
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I can’t remember the name of the name of the song, but there was a Carly Simon song with a repeated “These are the good old days”. Wisdom in song. Have heard nothing from or about her in years, but I remember (lusty smile memory) the pictures.
For us it is the cats – saying goodbye as we left with a yap, the lap warming, the keyboard covering, the stuff meant for the litter box on the floor.
My sunset city, no feline companionship, newspaper doesn’t work life is so much poorer now.
inmate mirthless from sunset city
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Hi Doug
“Anticipation” was the song. Carly got it right even thoughvthe sing was used briefly in Heinz catsup/ketchup (?) commercials about fort years ago. Why I recall that I haven’t a clue.
Maybe it is time for my Sunset villa.
Merry Christmas.
Leila
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Thanks to your brain which has avoided the sunset city memory removal. Definitely remember the commercial, and I probably have the song in itunes. Will check.
Bill on his own is doing gangbusters, and our clabbers are getting published. I might write in 2026. Learning more about Iran from Maysam. If I have not mentioned I have riches in the people I know, I should.
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Ha! Jingle Bells will never be the same
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Indeed Mick
That sing sticks with me the rest of the day upon hearing it.
Recorded in 1950!
Merry Christmas
Leila
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THANKS for sharing Fang and Rags with the world, Leila!
And thanks for being so clear-eyed and generous with the world simultaneously, so rare that it makes you a generational talent or more.
Of course, Boo, Bandit and Colonel admire the legend of Fang and Rags.
Their taste in Christmas music also runs towards the Jingle Bells of the Barking Dogs, for some reason. It’s a beautiful song but I do have trouble playing it multiple times in a row per their request.
May we all remember (if we do remember) Christmas Past, Present and Future, and yes, that goes for the future too.
The Drifter, Grinch and Max (both of whom assisted in the composition of this Christmas Eve missive and wish to have their contributions duly acknowledged)…
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Hello Dale, Boo, Colonel, Bandit and the Twins!
A very merry Christmas and happy (or at least happier) New Year to all.
And as a ray of sunshine, 2026 is the mid term election year. A swing of a few seats can end the current presidency’s clout, fully making him a lame quack.
Merry Christmas and the honest joy i n Dogs to all.
Leila
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Hi Leila
Talk about some cute dogs! Reminds me of a wall plaque that I can’t quite remember–Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.
Fang attacking the Christmas tree is a hoot! We have older dogs and they are treated well like Fang and Rags. They recently got their old couch traded-in for two big dog beds. Now they don’t have to climb up there, and I can burn the stinky old thing, lol.
“please remember to hold your temper and realize that you are experiencing your The Good Old Days.” That is a wonderful piece of wisdom!
CJA
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Hello CJA
Yes, Dogs are great people. The boys were born within a month of each other and Mom somehow got them both the same week.
I knew them from age 10 to 27 and even though I had left home they were always close to me. Their deaths were as hard to take emotionally as that of a parent. But the little sinners had a grand time.
Thsnks again and merry Christmas to you yours and the critters!
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Hi Leila
That’s what we say….Dogs are good people!
It’s great you had them for so long, but time passes too quickly. Especially in the life of wonderful dogs.
Thanks!
Merry Christmas!
CJA
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