This will be my first Christmas staying in Chicago and not traveling back to Ohio. This year, my family is coming to me. It’s very exciting, but also stressful planning for a full house of humans and “kids”. Here's my plan for surviving the holidays.

The other day I sat down at my home computer and found the following poorly-spelled list up on the screen. Apparently our dog has learned to type (and use hyperlinks!), and he has some holiday requests. Behold! I give you: Chauncey Billups Vanderhoff's 2013 Christmas List - The Twelve Days of Chauncey! (With a brief explanation of each item from me.)

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas" is one the most classic holiday tales that makes even the most bah-humbug person want to believe in Santa. To get us all in the holiday spirit, this week Katy parodies the epic poem with a modern twist. And in this version, her young pup, Squash, is the star. Find out if The Squasharino makes it to the naughty or nice list this year.

There are a few rituals more awkward than end-of-year tipping. And having received about ten or twelve emails from our kind clients questioning the best way to compensate their beloved dog walker, I’m breaking out the blog to assist.