A Puppy for Christmas

My entire life I've dreamed of...

owning a puppy!

It's not much of a dream, I know.

But somehow it's been thwarted at every turn.

I asked for a puppy every Christmas,

starting when I was five.

First, they gave me a goldfish.

When I was six, they gave me a turtle.

When I was seven, they got me a cockatiel.

Then my parents got divorced.

You'd think the guilt alone would bring a puppy my way...

In college, we weren't allowed pets.

And let's face it, I had no time.

And do you know how hard it is to find a pet-friendly

apartment in this city?

Until...

I moved in with Todd.

...who is allergic to everything!

But other than that,

he's perfect!

Honey, no man is perfect.

Trust me.

But he is!

He's charismatic and funny, he's got a great job--

Okay, so if he's so perfect,

wouldn't you be engaged by now?

Hey!

You know what?

Get a Cockapoo!

They're hypo-allergenic.

Does hypo-allergenic really work?

We had one and Bob was allergic to everything.

Plus, maybe it'll give Todd the nudge he needs.

You wanna see his "daddy potential"?

Give him something small and cuddly.

Next thing you know he'll be "putting a ring on it!"

Well, Christmas is coming up...

You're still angling for that 'mistletoe proposal'?

It sounds silly but--

Helen! We've gotten off track...

are there any other insights you'd like to add,

on what makes a marriage last?

I don't know what kept Bob and I together,

you know we could always make each other laugh.

You must miss him terribly.

Oh, I do.

But it's been two years and trust me honey, I wore him out.

Hey.

Our "Adventure Columnist."

Oh, I could go for an adventure.

It's hardly journalism.

He basically puts himself into dumb situations and survives...

The village elder gave me this box

and he said don't open it!

Is he single?

(scoffs) He has a girlfriend "supposedly",

but no one's ever seen her.

He's got that rugged, "salt of the earth" look.

He's got that "I Need A Bath" look.

I can't wait to get back to work.

Well yes, me either.

-Okay good! -Alright!

Good luck with your research.

Nobody knows anything.

I'm so sorry.

It'spureAmazonian mud.

Ah!

You should smell the aroma!

Great...

So,

there Jessica and I were,

knee-deep in a muddy river bank,

and then we started getting nipped at by piranhas...

So we leap outta the river

and right into this giant spider web!

With a spider, I kid you not,

thisbig.

Huge!

But we make it to the trees...

and we start climbing.

Hand over hand, over hand, until we get to the top.

And that's when we see the sunrise,

right over the Amazon.

And I proposed!

...What?!

Noelle?

A word?

You've been conducting this research

for the past three weeks now,

The 'Secret to a Lasting Marriage'.

Uh huh!

And what have you discovered?

Information...

Lots and lots of information.

This is not one of your quizzes.

This is a feature.

I'd hate to see an opportunity wasted.

Todd...

We are celebrating!

Only the finest champagne for tonight.

Celebrating?

I know it's only a few days before Christmas but...

Yes...?

This is bigger than Christmas.

Yes?

The last holdouts finally sold!

We're going to start breaking ground next week!

Work was so thrilled,

they promoted me to, wait for it,

Managing Director!

They even got me this Swiss made, hand-crafted,

incredibly expensive watch!

Ah.

I am way off schedule.

I can't take that dog anymore!!

Somebody will adopt him eventually!

You really think someone's going to waltz in here

and take this nightmare off our hands?!

Hello?

Hi!

I heard you have a Cockapoo available?

We havejustthe pup for you!

C'mon here Monster, c'mon!

Aww!

Oh!

He's perfect.

Umm hmm!

I'll take him.

Yes!!

Are you excited to meet your Daddy tonight?

Yes you are! Yes you are!

You are finally here.

Aww...

N-no, no, no, no!

Oh!

Oh, no!

Noelle, did you bark?

Yup! All the kids are doing it these days.

Woof woof! Hashtag dawg life!

Well, hello!

Where did you come from?

Aren't you cute? Hello!

Who's dog is that?

...mine?

If she gets to bring her dog,

then I get to bring my cats!

Pam! We have discussed this!

Noelle, it has to go home.

Darn it!

Why doesn't Todd like mac n cheese?

I can cook that!

Who likes Beef Wellington anyway? Ugh.

Ah!

It's perfect!

Yes!

Oh No-no-no-no-no!

Ahh!

What... is happening?

Um, Merry Early Christmas?

Um...

With Christmas approaching and all,

I thought we could be one big happy family...

But... you know I'm allergic.

He'shypo-allergenic.

Oh, great...

Oh! You are going to besucha good Dad...

NOELLE (whispers): Now you just make sure that you're good

so that he can love you, okay?

Sweet dreams!

I can't believe I finally got a puppy!

Great!

Hey!

Come here!

Only for tonight.

Aw...

No!

No!!

No!!!