I took over this year's Christmas letter 'cause I want to tell you what's diggin' in the Bentrup house this year, make no bones about it!
So the year started normal enough, at least for the Bentrup household. My canine brother, George, is old (at least 11 or 12) and doesn't like to romp around anymore so I have to scare up my own pigeons if there's any fun to be had. So it was one day at the end of July, deep in the dog days of summer, that my nostrils picked up a strange scent coming up the driveway.
I was just about to give the alarm, but my mistress went out and actually welcomed the strutting little terrier inside with open arms. I mean, if she was cool, who was I to growl? As it turned out, Rhett Butler only stayed one night, but a couple of days later two new dogs came to stretch their paws: a black lab, and a Canaan from the Middle East that had been rescued by a soldier. In fact, our house has become a regular revolving mangy menagerie these past few months.
After the initial bowwow, I settled down and actually had a grrrreat time: I mean, sniffing doggy butts is pretty much my favorite thing to do. Some of them are just young pups, but there are also old pooches like me who have worn a collar or two. A lot of them are my dapper poodle mix cousins. Here's looking at you Luna, Hermione, Quinn, and Murphy! I do have to guard MY territory under the dining room table from all and sundry. The fallen scraps (or even a post-dinner plate cleaning when no one is looking) leave the other dogs drooling.
While I can't read, I think my human's dog-boarding business is doing well since she has all 5-star reviews on Rover.com. As my feline friends would say, it's the cat's meow. Besides taking care of home and kennel and all its cleaning, feeding, and grooming, Amelia homeschools the tykes, and earns some extra coins with her online editing job. She must be a Jack Russel Terrier of all trades!
Amelia joined a new co-op this year, Catholic Schoolhouse, where she teaches a science laboratory to kids of all ages. Pavlov ain't got nothing on her. And while she doesn't really blog anymore, she started yipping for CatholicMom.com. Sniff up her name, and you will find her articles. Sadly, all this work is taking its toll: the grey hairs are starting to show, but remember that she is about 300-doggie-years-old now.
You may be wondering why my master, Ben, doesn't just muzzle this dog-boarding business. The theory goes that since Amelia is so busy boarding other people's pets, she can't afford time to get her own. She gets the fun of watching woman's best friends without any of the expense. In fact, she actually gets paid, so it's a win-win. If he barks too much, Amelia said she can always turn the business into a dog-and-pony show. Literally. That stop's his whining. By the way, if you haven't seen Ben in a while, check out that photo below. His whiskers are almost as bushy as mine.
As for Ben, he is still working as an attorney at Beers Mallers in government law. When he's not on the scent, or not in the doghouse for forgetting to wash up the dishes, he and John stray off to chess tournaments. They won the top team prize at South Bend in November and also won a minor team prize with their chess club, the BUMs (Bethel United Methodist Chess Club in Elkhart), at the State Chess Team Championship in Indy. In August, they road-tripped to the US Open in Grand Rapids, where they each fell a mere 1/2-point out of the money. Later that month, however, Ben won the top Expert/Master prize in the State Class Championship in Fort Wayne, his first state championship. Every dog has his day!
On to Heidi (21), who became a grown-up human this year. She says she likes to lap up hard lemonade now, which I get since I enjoy yellow snow myself. She attends the Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio, studying Spanish and psychology, so I haven't seen her for a dog's age. She is set for a December 2024 graduation date with plans for a master's degree and a Ph.D. in counseling. She's also doing something called "writing a thesis," which sounds about as productive as a chihuahua in a hair salon, but half the fun.
In May, she flew across the pond with a pack of her school chums for some crumpets and tea, visiting all of Tolkein's haunts in Merrie Olde England. Sightseeing included Big Ben, the Eye of London, and Oxford University, along with some convents and monasteries. No fox hunts, though, so, even though she denies it, I think she basically wasted her time - tally ho! She brought back British pounds for all the humans to use, but I still see them wondering freely about the old homestead, so I don't get it. Heidi did have to go to the emergency vet a couple of times this year, but she has now been given a clean bill of health.
As for Greta (19), in January, she got her driver's tags, which causes the fur of all the other humans to stand on end. I'm just yanking your chain (dogs can joke too, you know); she is actually a very good sled driver. While finishing up her final semester of high school, Greta volunteered at Loveway, a therapeutic horseback riding center for young pups, and everyone loved her.
Greta graduated in June and, after a summer of serving Amish kibble at Das Essenhaus, began full-time studies at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne. She is studying elementary education and got all A's in her first semester. She works as a barista at the Cougar Den, making fancy cappuccinos and expressos for the customers. She is an active member of Students for Life and attends campus ministry events, an on-campus book club, and Educators in Action. She has made lots of friends and enjoys going to campus dances. Hopefully, the boys aren't getting too frisky, as she is now the mistress of her own leash!
John (15) attends Queen of Heaven Academy, an online Catholic school, as a sophomore. Naturally, he has all A's. John is budding into quite the social animal: he attends two weekly youth groups, went on a church youth retreat, took golf lessons this summer, ran cross-country in the fall, and is playing basketball this winter. Of course, his true love remains chess, which he has worked very hard on this year. I've already mentioned some of his exploits, but John defended his turf when he captured the Indiana 10th Grade Chess Champion in November, a repeat of last year's 9th-grade title!
Elsa (11) is the top dog assistant handler at the Bentrup canine castle. She even promised to train me for the 4-H dog club this spring, and I promised not to bite anyone unless they bite me first. Elsa is a dog-lover extraordinaire and asked to have her picture taken with yours truly. I mean, who wouldn't? I just hope she doesn't have fleas.
Elsa is a happy-go-lucky 5th-grader who especially enjoys going to her co-op classes and hanging out with friends. As always, Elsa loves to do artwork, like drawing, painting, and crafts. She loves the Little Flowers group that Amelia now teaches in Greta's absence. Much to both their delight, Elsa is following in their footsteps in becoming a huge Nancy Drew detective mystery fan and has become an avid reader.
Annika (7) is the puppy of the litter, although not so much a baby anymore. She is a fun-loving, joyful, social, friend-loving homeschooled 2nd grader. She loves going to co-ops and playing with her friends. She really enjoys the ballet classes she takes with a few friends. And while I don't go to Mass (being a dog and all), I am told that her joyful howling in her cute little voice is adorable.
Annika is a fluent reader but loves to cuddle with Dad, who reads to her and Elsa tales each week of Narnia and of Middle Earth's hobbits. She also loves doing arts and crafts and creating things. A true extrovert, she talks to everyone and is popular amongst her friends. She keeps the rest of the family constantly entertained with her dancing and tail-chasing.
As for the furry members of the family, cats Rocky and Tigger hang out in the basement a lot to get away from all the dog chaos. Zorro prowls around outside, and George is old and arthritic but still hanging in there. Sadly, our rabbit, Moosie, passed away this fall (I promise he died from natural bunny causes). All dogs go to heaven, but I think St. Peter can squeeze him in too. As for me, I am naturally the most beloved pet. In fact, I am so talented that Elsa taught me to play the piano and a few other tricks. I may not be Beethoven yet, but I can bang my paws with the best of them.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. May you know all of Christ's Peace, Love, and Joy this Christmastide. And may all life's puddles become poodles this coming year!
Love,
The Bentrups: Ben, Amelia, Heidi, Greta, John, Elsa, Annika, and us four-legged members too!
