Ask Dr. Teddy: What Are You Giving Mom and Dad for Christmas?

Hello there, dear readers! Dr. Teddy here, your golden retriever extraordinaire and purveyor of wisdom (and the occasional laugh). Bear, my nephew—and a bundle of boundless energy—has decided to join me for this special holiday edition of “Ask Dr. Teddy.” Today’s question comes from one of my favorite humans (my mom, of course!): “Teddy and Bear, what are you going to give Mom and Dad for Christmas?”

Bear and I had a lot to discuss before answering this one. Now, as dogs, we don’t have credit cards (even if Bear had one, he’d probably spend it all on blue rubber balls). We also don’t have Amazon Prime accounts (yet!), so tangible, store-bought gifts are out of the question. That said, we’re confident we can come up with something even better than Santa might deliver. Here’s our plan!

• A Year of Unconditional Love

I’ll start with the most important gift of all—unconditional love. Dogs like Bear and me don’t care if your clothes match or if dinner is five minutes late. We see you for who you are—our entire world. And my gift this Christmas, and every other day of the year, is making sure Mom and Dad know they’re loved more than anything else.

Bear says, “Maybe we could wrap it in a big bow!” Sorry, buddy. Love can’t be wrapped up—it’s best served with tail wags and soulful golden retriever eyes.

• Unlimited Doggy Kisses

Mom, you’ve joked that being licked by me is like “getting a bath you didn’t ask for.” But I know you secretly love it because it makes you laugh. My slobbery kisses are my way of saying, “Hey, I’m here, and I love you endlessly.” Bear thinks he’s better at delivering kisses because of his extra wiggly “post-kiss dance.”

Dad doesn’t always want kisses, but we’ve agreed we’ll catch him off-guard on Christmas morning with an attack of love!

• Wiggles and Fun

Bear insisted this gift had to be on the list. “Wiggling my butt is a talent, Uncle Teddy!” he said enthusiastically. And he’s right—wagging tails and happy wiggles are gifts on their own. Watching Bear shake his whole body like a noodle always makes Mom and Dad laugh hard. It’s a daily reminder to enjoy life’s little moments. On the other hand, I am a little more reserved, but I’ve got my signature slow, happy tail wag that makes Mom smile every time.

And fun? Oh, we’ve got plenty of it to give. Whether it’s running around the yard like lunatics, playing endless games of fetch, or just flopping down for belly rubs, Bear and I guarantee there will never be a dull moment.

• My Patience & Bear’s Playfulness

I’ve always prided myself on my calm, steady demeanor. Whether it’s waiting patiently for dinner or comforting Mom and Dad when they’ve had a tough day, I can always give patience freely. Bear, on the other paw, is a bundle of energy that spreads joy everywhere he goes. When Mom and Dad are tired, Bear’s playful antics are like magic—they can’t help but smile. And I’m happy to remind him when it’s time to settle down. It’s all about balance, after all.

• Sharing Our Toys

This one is slightly controversial in the dog world, but Bear and I agreed it’s time to share. Bear loves his blue rubber balls, and I adore anything I can chew, but if lending one of these treasures makes Mom and Dad smile, we’ll gladly do it. However, Bear asked if keeping the blue rubber balls would be okay. Priorities, right?

• Sunshine for Dark Days

Here’s the thing about dogs—we might not know exactly what you’re going through, but we’re always here for you. When the days feel heavy, Bear and I have made it our mission to bring light back into Mom and Dad’s lives. A playful nudge, a furry head on their lap, or just sitting quietly next to them—it’s our way of saying, “You’ll never be alone.”

The Greatest Gift of All

Bear and I had a long talk about this one. We came to the same conclusion—our greatest gift to Mom and Dad this Christmas is just being here, there to greet you at the door with wagging tails, there to snuggle up with after a long day, being your family, your soul dogs, the ones who love you without condition or hesitation.

Oh, and Bear added, “If we’re REALLY good, maybe Santa will bring me another blue rubber ball!” We’ll keep our paws crossed for that one.

To all of you wonderful humans reading this—remember that the best gifts in life aren’t wrapped in shiny paper. They’re love, laughter, and the moments we share with the ones who matter most. We wish you all the happiest holidays from Bear and me (and Mom and Dad).

With love, wagging tails, and lots of kisses,  

Dr. Teddy (and Bear!)