This is the seventh entry in a series created by brave kid and me, more of which he and I will be working on together in the future.(Pictures of this story's characters are also available on my blog, the Keeper of the Fun blog.) The storyline is based on a Garfield Show episode entitled, "Home for the Holidays." Please enjoy, and a very Merry Christmas to all!(BTW brave kid, thank you very much for all of the story suggestions you've given me. I've had a lot of fun working on these stories with you, and I very much appreciate it. I look forward to writing with you more in the future.) :)

It's a snowy Christmas day in New York City. At Dot's Puppy Pound, the Pound Puppies and Kennel Kittens are preparing for Christmas; in the pound's main room, Lucky and Ace are busily decorating a large Christmas tree with ornaments, tinsel, popcorn balls and candy canes, while Cookie stands below, garbed in a Santa coat, Squirt and Niblet set about decorating the room, Strudel and Dot wrap presents at a nearby table, and all around them, many small puppies and purries dance around, singing,

"Deck the pound with boughs of holly,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Cookie dresses like Kris Kringle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Lucky sings a yuletide jingle,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la."

Cookie chuckles happily at these cute little fellow's spunk. From behind the tree, Rebound and a small black kitten with yellow eyes sneak a candy cane and popcorn ball off of the tree, sight unseen, and begin eating them. Meanwhile, Squirt and Niblet toss several ornaments to each other and begin juggling them.

"See this yuletide spread before us,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Squirt and Niblet juggle for us,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Follow us in merry measure,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la,
Share with us this yuletide treasure,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa!"

Cupcake, who's clad in a dark pink winter coat with a lighter pink trim, matching pants, and lighter pink mittens, assists Strudel and Dot in wrapping presents. "Gosh-oh-golly-gee, this is gonna be the merriest Christmas party ever!"

"Yeah, I'll say," replies Patches, who's clad in a green coat and darker green gloves. "Hopefully, a lotta folks will come to th' pound 'n give these puppies and purries a home."

"Yeah, and maybe we'll have a big Christmas dinner, too!" Niblet, who's clad in a blue sweater with a snowman on the front, and a red and green striped scarf, licks his lips hungrily.

"Oh, that reminds me," Dot walks up to Lucky and hands him some money. "Could you go to the store and pick up a few more items for our feast tonight, please?"

"We'll be happy to, Dot." Lucky, who's clad in a red sweater with a blue trim, and green gloves, obliges.

"Sure thing." Cookie agrees.

The dogs and cats then leave for the supermarket; as they reach the store's parking lot, they see Niblet's girlfriend Giblet, who's wearing a pink coat with a white trim, matching pants, and darker pink mittens, leaving the store with a large pile of food and blankets in her arms. "Howdy, Giblet!" Niblet greets her.

"Oh, howdy, guys."

"What'cha doin'?" Squirt, who's clad in a black winter coat, matching pants, and a yellow scarf inquires.

"I'm bringin' food 'n blankets to th' animals in that alley." She uses her one free paw to motion toward same. "They're homeless, an' this time of year's especially tough for them."

A sad look crosses Cupcake's face as she brushes away a tear. "Oh, those poor things!"

"Well, we'll be happy to help in any way we can." Lucky states.

"We got plenty of supplies back at the pound; we'll bring some their way." Ace who's clad in a blue sweater with a Christmas tree on the front, adds.

Giblet's smiles. "Gee, thanks, guys. I know those lonely pets will really appreciate this."