My Christmas Letter

Hi Santa!

We just finished eating our delicious Thanksgiving dinner and I thought I should write this letter to you before I go to bed. I'm thankful this year for so many reasons and I continue to have hope that things in the world will get better.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that you are having a great year. You didn't get the swine flu this year did you? I know that lots of people got it but I never heard about it getting all the way to the North Pole. How is Mrs. Claus doing? Mom told me to tell you to tell her to continue getting mammograms despite the recent study. Can you please pass this along to her?

I have been very, very good this year despite a few issues that have occurred lately. Did you know that I went on my very first vacation this year? Of course you knew because you have been watching me! Did you see how happy I was at Barkwells, romping and playing like a little puppy? I highly recommend you stop at Barkwells while you are in North Carolina this year. All the dogs there would love to meet you.

I'm so worried about the honey bees. Did you know their numbers are declining so rapidly that soon they may be extinct? If the honey bees go away so do all the plants that depend on them. Our agricultural system as we know it would collapse. This would not be good. Can you please bring the honey bees some extra vitamins to keep them well throughout the year until scientists can figure out this colony collapse disorder thingy?

Have you ever been to Playa Grande, Costa Rica? What am I saying? Of course you have because you visit all the kids that live there - duh! Since you have been there you must have seen the leatherback sea turtles. Aren't they impressive? Mom talks about the leatherbacks all the time because she has such great memories of her time in Playa Grande. The leatherbacks are in serious trouble and scientists say they will become extinct by the end of the next decade. Can you please bring fisherman around the world a more efficient fishing method so they can stop using longlines which kill the leatherbacks?

The global climate crisis is affecting the birds of the world. I love watching all the little birds that visit my backyard and pond. They come to my house because they are hungry, thirsty, or need a place to have their babies. Birds are also important to the environment (just like the honey bees), in addition to teaching us all about the natural world. We need them but not as much as they need us. They are my friends and I want them to be around for a long time so can you please talk to the heads of all the countries about solving the climate crisis before it is too late?

The bottled water crisis is out of control. I bet you see lots of discarded plastic bottles everywhere you go, don't you Santa? Most people in the U.S. don't need to drink bottled water but they say they do so for convenience. The production of this water uses so much energy, ruins local environments, and takes water away from local residents. Can you please bring reusable water bottles to every house you visit?

Do you know any recycled dogs Santa? I do and lucky for them they have homes. They have people who love them, feed them delicious food, and even help them with their blogs. But there are so many dogs that don't have homes, dogs that no one wants for no good reason. Can you please find loving homes for all the dogs in need?

I have made so many friends this year. What a lucky guy I am, huh? I would like you to please bring a little gift bag to all my friends and friends of my friends. Just think of it as a gift from Mother Earth.
Please include in each bag:

12 LED light bulbs
11 bars of soap from Soap Hope
10 reusable shopping bags (organic cotton, hemp, or recycled material)
9 soy candles
8 rechargable batteries
7 organic cotton produce bags
6 Skoy cloths for cleaning around the house
5 bottles of eco-friendly nail polish
4 reusable water bottles (aluminum or BPA-free plastic)
3 recycled wood bird feeders
2 rain barrels
1 composter

The one little thing I really want for myself is an 8-piece Popeyes chicken meal. Have you ever tasted Popeyes? If not, please pick up an 8-piece for yourself when you pick up mine. You won't regret it!

Merry Christmas Santa!

Your Pal,

Stubby xoxo