User blog:InklingBear/Life of Pets - Secret Santa Paws

Story #21 - Secret Santa Paws [Christmas Special]
 5:00pm

It's the most wonderful time of the year. From moderate blowing winds to flurries falling to the ground, the great neighborhood of Royal Woods painted white have never put a frown on anybody's face. It's winter time, and everybody's waiting for that one day where they get to open presents from their friends and relatives where it's the thought that counts for a whole lot. They only had to wait one more day to reach that one moment they've all been waiting for.

As the Loud family were out and about for the night to spend some of that Christmas cheer, the family's pets stayed at home as they wondered what to get each other this year. Charles, Geo and Walt are all lined up as Cliff presented them with only four cards, facing down as the feline shuffled them up before he stopped his action seconds later.

"Alrighty pals a mine, it's time ta pick a card!" Cliff said. "Hopefully none of 'em will catch ya off-guard!"

"I really hafta say dere, pal," Charles uttered. "I'm surprised ya ain't usin' a hat."

"Of all the things we get to do, this is going to be so fun!" Geo exclaimed. "The cold winter and all the presents? It could be better than that summer sun!"

"Geez," Walt uttered. "Let's just get this over with if you please, cat."

The pets all took their turns selecting a card of their choice. They each thought long and hard about which one they would go for before the four all closed their eyes and reached out to grab a single card.

They all simultaneously spat, "Got it!"

One by one, the pets flipped over their cards to reveal who's going to construct a present for whom. Charles got Geo, Cliff got Charles, Geo got Walt, and Walt got Cliff. They might not be used to participating in the secret santa project but it's the thought that truly matters deep down inside. Whatever challenge they had to conquer, they all knew they could do it together.

Happiness filled Charles with a gasp. "Wowza!" he reacted. "Dis'll be easier den chewin' on trousers!"

A neutral expression appeared on Cliff, gazing down at the card he selected. "Whoa, ain't dat nice?" he uttered. "This one'll be sweet as a flower."

Excitement overcame the brown hamster. "Oh my, I made a good decision?" Geo worriedly said. "Is it a coincidence? I don't think so! "

Walt was not amused with the card he selected. "Oh boy, this will be pretty interesting." he sarcastically spat. "At least it's not the one who pees in the snow."

"Hey bird," Charles called out to Walt in a menacing tone. "Mind yer bidness why don't ya?"

"Well it's been years since we've known ya," Cliff said, petting the pup on the head. "Who cares where ya do yer bidness in this family? We're animals surrounded by a baker's dozen! At least ya don't tinkle or poop ever so clammily."

Charles blushed upon the words Cliff spat out as he looked down at the carpet. "We all know dat title belongs to the baby," he said as he smiled along, but not before giving a quick smirk to the reader. "Unlike everybody else, she's a real stinker at times, maybe."

Geo and Walt glanced towards each other. "I'm sorry, but might we wrap up the bathroom talk here?" Walt said, growing somewhat impatient as he landed his gaze upon the two animals.

"Yeah you guys," Geo added with an upbeat manner. "We've got ourselves as pals to endear!"

Steadfast and jubilant expressions were painted on the faces of Charles and Cliff. "Yer right, Ham!" Charles said with glee. "Everybody think of somethin' deep down for yer presents, 'n let's get ta makin' progress, fam!"

The four pets all shared a cheer in their ecstatic emotion before they all split their ways to make something each other would simply adore. It's time to take their challenge seriously, as if it was like taking an examination that required cramming in as much information as possible.

Charles made his way into the room of Rita and Lynn Sr before he plopped his canine rump down on the carpet. He had his paw caressing his chin as he tried to put his canine mind to work. Sooner or later, the perfect idea would make a connection to his cranium.

"What should I whip up for Ham, I wonder," Charles thought. "Aside from all the cheese he likes, he does like a good musical number..."

He wandered around the interior of the bedroom as he made an adamant attempt to flesh out his plan. "Although I like dat kinda stuff too, I'm definitely not one ta sing, but in da very least fer me, it sure is somethin' ta get a ting."

The white dog gulped down some air before he promptly exhaled through his nostrils immediately after. "Since I can't think of nothin' else, I really hope it's worth the shot. So get ready fer this, Ham. I'm 'bout ta give it all I got!"

He cleared his throat as he prepared himself to hit some notes. A second of silence took place for the cheerful Charles before he realized he was missing something. What could it be?

"And a one... Wait a sec," the dog realized before he walked his way out of the bedroom. "I needs me a guitar from upstairs! I should hurry, I'd better go check!"

In the kitchen interior of the house, Cliff walked around in circles. He thought to himself long and hard on what to make for Charles as a gift for tomorrow morning. His mind was definitely in the works. He is a dog after all. He'll gladly accept anything the cat would get him and wouldn't even complain a single word about it.

"Nah, I'm pretty sure dat wouldn't work," Cliff said to himself as his sights gazed upon the checkered floor. "Think cat, think! I don't wanna act like a heartless jerk."

The cat tapped his hind paws as he crossed his front paws trying to get a good idea of what his present would be for the playful canine. "He does like food 'n all, much more than us," he uttered. "All the junk he loves ta scarf down without even makin' a fuss."

Cliff sighed. "I'm not sure how dat'll turn out," he turned to the reader. "Dog don't care 'bout nothin' but stuffin' his own face... As a matter of fact... I should." The frisky cat zipped over to the stove as he jumped up next to it before he set the appliance on medium heat.

"I'll cook 'em up somethin' ta eat if dat's the case!" Cliff boldly said. "I'm gonna try a bacon flavored cake, as long as it doesn't smell like butt. If it turns out better than I thought, I'm sure it'll clearly make the cut!"

Cliff was a little bit baffled now. He had no idea what to cook. "The tiny problem I seek here is, what am I gonna brew up for the pooch? I gotta try ta figure somethin' out, it's not like I'm intendin' ta be a scrooge."

Outside, Walt flew around his bird house as he held a cross expression on his face. "What am I going to get that cat?" he spat to himself. "Come on now, this can't be that hard."

He landed on the rooftop of his house as he began to fidget around. "Hmm... I could get him some yarn..." He sat and thought for a second. "Nah, he has tons of those in the backyard." He glanced over to the yard soon after, only to find out that he was right yet confused at the same time. "Wait a second, what are his balls of yarn doing out here anyway? He never plays with them outside of the house!"

Walt had to get his brainstorming in progress. "Hmm, what does a cat want more than anything?" A few seconds of ideas swarming around the avian's thoughts, it finally occurred to the little yellow bird. "Laser pointer, Fish?"

The bird gasped. "I got it, a toy mouse!"

Walt's eyes squinted as he scoped his surroundings as he made sure Cliff wasn't around. "I'm sure nobody wouldn't mind if I stormed off." he sinisterly said to himself. It's not like the gift had to be made by paw or wing. Cliff never even mentioned that detail in the first place. In all likelihood, it was still fair game. "I'm doing this for that pesky cat after all..."

The bird reminded himself on one detail regarding his trip to the city. "But first, I should get some change, and I don't have time to stall!"

Back inside the Loud house, Geo rolled about in the hallway. He peeked in the rooms of the siblings to try and spark some potential for his christmas gift. Not one thing in any of the rooms did the trick for the brown hamster.

Sadness slightly filled the hamster. "Aw man, what am I going to do?" He uttered, poking at his cranium. "I can't seem to think of anything!"

Geo had to toughen it up. What he needed was some determination. He needed some cheerful pep to be pumped inside his everloving heart. The hamster would never even think close to giving up.

"I can do this," the hamster said. "I just know I can! ...Something that will get me under his wing!"

After a good few seconds of thinking, some potential finally sparked for the hamster. It could be one of the best ideas he's ever thought of in a good while.

Exhilaration filled Geo as he let out a gasp. "I got it! I know what to do!" he uttered. "This might be the best idea yet!" A thought cloud formed over the hamster's head. He pictured Walt being very grateful for a sweater that didn't look like it was ugly in the slightest. Walt later hugged the hamster with a little snuggle. "Maybe if I knit him up something to wear, he won't have a fit, I'm willing to bet!"

Geo rolled over to the bedroom of Lori and Leni. He figured there could be some material he needs to get the job done. A second had passed before Charles exited the bathroom and entered Luna and Luan's room. He promptly looked around for a guitar to work his gift on before he had no choice but to work with Luna's electric guitar as it laid next to her bed.

He softly strummed the strings with indifference as it played in a key of E. "It ain't acoustic but it'll hafta do. I just need ta remember the perfect octane." He picked up the instrument. "I gotta make it sound peppy, hence why I really need ta train."

Charles took notice of the teenage rock star's laptop that laid on the amplifier next to him. He thought he could get some bit of training off of the web. Seconds later, he glanced to the reader with a shrug. It would be worth a shot anyway.

"Maybe if I check the web for some bit a help, it'll eventually pitch an idea fer me." the dog said to himself as a thought bubble appeared over his head. He pictured Geo dancing and rocking out to his guitar strumming. "I bet he'll have such a good time, If I play in the key of D!"

Back in the kitchen, Cliff was having a bit of trouble frying the strips of bacon on the stove. That juicy pork meat gradually shifted to well done faster than the cat thought. To him, it was like magic in an instant. It all happened with barely any time for the feline to react. He wasn't sure what to do.

"Crikey, those strips sure are sizzlin' at a fast pace!" the cat uttered as he picked up the frying pan. "What the livin' heck am I supposed ta do now?"

He shifted his eyes around as he tried to think of something. Soon enough, he did manage to hatch up a plan. "I think I got it, I'll launch 'em onto some dishes! Dere's a chance dey'll hit the floor, hope the dog'll allow..."

About a minute later, the plan was perfectly set up for the indoctrinated cat to execute. His sights were completely fixated at the dish as he calculated his predicted result in his mind. "If my calculations are precise, a casual launch should do the trick." Cliff said to himself.

He was determined. He shifted his paw down on the frying pan handle as strips of bacon flew across the kitchen. One by one, they would all soon land perfectly on the dish. The feline was surprised. He didn't think it would work, but he felt that today would be his lucky day.

"Great scott! Dat went better than I thought!" Cliff said in a dazed manner. "Least I don't hafta get the broomstick!"

He had a thought bubble a second after as he pictured the output of his bacon cake. In his mind, Charles entered his bubble and frantically wagged his tail upon gazing on the cake he baked just for him.

"Dis'll totally turn out great if ya ask me, A multi layered bacon cake for my best bud!" he valiantly thought to himself as a merry Charles gracefully moistened up his lips before he began to chow down on the juicy cake. "All the sweet deliciousness in one treat, I'm sure my good name won't ever be mud!"

DING!

The oven was ready and waiting for the cat. He glanced back at the ingredients he needed to make some cake. He hadn't did the batter yet. Now was the perfect time to do so, since step one of his gift was marked off his list.

 Fifteen Minutes Later

Outside in the public eye and nearly empty streets with some dough between the beak, Walt took a gaze through the glass of the pet store, couple seconds before closing time. His eyes shifted all around, looking for that perfect toy for Cliff. Suddenly, he spotted the one. The bird's eyes widened up as he grew fixated on the item.

It was the one item he was looking for all along, a toy mouse. It obviously didn't look like it was used before. It was brand new, like a valuable, popular action figure in mint condition. "Aha! There's that little toy I'm looking for," the bird muffled. "I also can't believe it's at a cheap price."

Walt took notice of the man in charge of the store about to make his way out. "I'll get him that toy no matter what it takes." he spat as the glass door opened up for the man to exit. "This isn't normal for me, I'm never this nice!"

As the owner paid no attention to his surroundings, Walt snuck his way into the store. The man casually closed the door behind him, whipped out his keys and locked the door from the outside.

The bird was surrounded by toys and food in a somewhat dim interior now. The second he heard the tumblers from the door, he knew he was locked in. He had to figure a way out before he obtained his objective.

"Oh shoot, locked in the dang store." Walt lividly uttered. "Saw this coming a mile away."

The bird flew over to the toy mouse he wanted to get for the cat. "At least I can get the mouse without a hassle. Now to bust outta here..." The bird turned to the reader. "But first, I have to pay!"

As Walt got a good grip of the toy with his feet as if he had talons, he flew over on to the counter to leave behind the money he took with him. He had a thought bubble as well as he landed on the desk. He pictured that Cliff would eventually get bored of it after a while before letting out a depressing sigh. He had to think hard. Would he really want something like that, or something even better? Choices filled the bird as he shifted his vision downward.

"It may not be the best I can come up with, but at least I'm exerting some effort." He said to himself. "Whether it's a perfect or the imperfect gift, it should at least be enough for my endeavor."

Walt didn't have time to pick out another item. He was confident enough to at least make whatever he had work out. All that's left for the yellow bird to do now was to make an escape somehow. To him, it'll be like escaping a butterfly net. He's been in situations similar to that before.

Resent and earnest filled the bird.

 Half an Hour Later

Back inside the Loud house, Geo was slowly starting to get the hang of knitting something up for the bird. Despite the fact that he never even knew a thing about said activity, it was like a surprising talent the hamster never knew he had.

A smile painted on Geo's face. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe myself!" he uttered. "This result I got will blow his mind!"

He softly caressed the cotton creation he managed to pull off. "I know something that'll be even better," He whipped out a red flower, fit for the size of the bird. "A fresh little flower, perfectly aligned!"

He promptly placed the flower just in the middle of the sweater he knitted. "Now that that's done, I'm sure it'll surprise him." Geo said with a smile. "Showering him with kindness is what I do!"

Back to Charles in Luna's bedroom, wearing headphones as he strummed out one last chord to register. He had a feeling this song for the hamster will be the best one yet.

"I'll have Ham rockin' out ta what I got." Charles said. "I just know dis one'll get him ta woo!"

In the Kitchen, Cliff was just about ready to unveil his masterpiece in the oven for Charles. He pulled down the handle to reveal that his cake base was somewhat a bit overcooked. It didn't matter to him since he was satisfied with how it turned out in the feline's mind.

Cliff was outright astonished. "Wow!" He said. "This cake here sure turned out swell! I bet that dog'll go nuts!"

Another good ten minutes into the night, Walt set up some kind of contraption in the form of a slingshot to try and make his escape from the unlively pet store. He flew all around the interior, looking for something that has the potential to shatter some glass. The bird's luck would soon be increased as he somehow found a marble resting near one of the toy shelves.

"Finally, something to fire at the windows," Walt uttered. He grabbed a hold of it using his beak before he flew back over to his contraption. He set te marble in the slinger and gradually pulled it back. After stretching the band out a yard or two, Walt fired the marble. The fired object surprisingly managed to crash and crack a huge opening just enough for the bird to get the heck out of dodge. "That mess I just made will be a pain in their butts."

The bird had no time to show any remorse. He did what he had to do. He grabbed onto the toy mouse and bolted out the shattered glass window.

There was nothing else the four pets had to do now. All they could do now was wait until the very next morning to unveil their gifts they made for each other. Whether the gifts they got was a good one or not, all that really mattered was the time or effort they all had to exert onto their gift.

 The Next Morning - 7:00am

Tis the day for christmas joy. Opening gifts to show how much everybody cares. The four family pets made their way inside Charles' pooch pen, one by one bringing their gifts for every animal to open. Happiness filled every single pet in the houseold.

"Okay, pals," Charles said. "I sure hope y'all had a good night's sleep!"

"Sure did, dog," Geo replied. "Last night was such an interesting quest!"

"You're telling me, Ham," Walt said with a weary face. "I was up all night wondering what to get."

"I had some trouble doin' mine," Cliff shamelessly admitted. "But, I'm pretty sure I did my best!"

Charles caught a scent in the air. "Hold on a sec there," he spat. The dog sniffed about trying to find the source of the aroma. "Is that bacon I'm smellin' at dis hour?"

It was time for Cliff to unveil his gift to the curious pooch. He revealed the bacon cake right in front of the canine. It had him panting ever so frantically. "Yer right there dog! Merry Christmas!" Cliff said as his secret santa. "All the sweet bacon you can devour!"

Charles didn't know what to say. He was happy enough to be thankful for what the cat got him on this special day. "Aw shucks, cat," he said. "It's like ya know me too well!"

The dog turned to the hamster now. He had to prepare himself for this. "Alrighty Ham, I got somethin' for ya ta sell!" He gave Geo a CD player and some earbuds. He was the hamster's secret santa. "Merry Christmas!"

Those two words had Geo smiling. He couldn't wait to hear what the dog cooked up just for him. Geo casually equipped an earbud on one of his ears before he pressed down on the play button. Rock music came blasting through the buds as it gave off a similar vibe to his favorite band. The hamster was ecstatic. It was possibly one of the coolest gifts he's ever received this year.

"Whoa!" The hamster exclaimed. "You made this for me? This music really rocks!"

Charles sheepishly chuckled. "I appreciate dat, Ham!" he said before he turned to his bacon cake. "I was originally gonna go with socks."

Geo stopped listening to the CD player as Charles dug into his food now. It was his turn to present his gift. He was a little nervous about his, but knowing he'd get along with Walt well, he was able to power through.

"Hey bird?" Geo uttered as Walt motioned to him. He revealed a sweater he managed to make in complete solitude. It had the bird staring. It was like a standing ovation. "I made you this little sweater on my own!"

Walt was somewhat impressed with the hamster's ability. It was downright amazing to him in his own individual view. "Some clothing for me to wear on a cold day?" the bird said with a smile. "The flower's a nice touch, and perfectly sewn!"

The bird hopped over to give Geo a little hug. "That was real sweet of you, Ham. I love it."

Walt hopped over to Cliff now as the feline licked away at his paws. "Hey cat," he said, grabbing his attention. He brought in a toy mouse in front of the feline's eyes as he looked away after each word he spat. "I got you something, hope you can make of... it."

Cliff wasn't amused at first. He had a suspicion that he just bought it at the store. But instead, he'll let it slide. He never once mentioned that it had to be made themselves. He had only himself to blame for this error.

"A mouse, huh?" Cliff uttered in an unhappy tone, grabbing the attention of Charles and Geo. "Dis was the only thing ya could come up?"

Walt was nervous. "I uh... yup?"

Before the bird could say anything else, Cliff grabbed him and laid a smooch on the bird's face. Walt was understandably aghast. The cat's affectionate action caught him completely off of his guard.

The bird shooked his head. "Bleh! That's gross! What the heck was that for though?"

"Two answers ta dat, bird!" Cliff enthusiastically said. "I love the mouse ya got, and the mistletoe!" He pointed up. There really was a mistletoe. He continued to look at it for a couple of seconds before giving off an uncomfortable answer.

"Oh... okay then?" Walt said in a daze.

"Well, it looks like everyone was satisfied with what they got." Charles said. "Dere's love all around since we knew each other from the start." The dog grabbed the rest of the pets one by one as he continued spewing out the rest of his monologue. "It's not about all dose expensive items 'n moolah, what really matters about us is givin' from the heart!"

The four pets snuggled together gor a good bit of time before they all let out a sigh. "I love ya, pals... to the very end!" Charles uttered.

"You could definitely say dat again, dog." Cliff happily agreed.

"This was a very nice Christmas we've had together!" Geo added.

"I'll admit, that was a very touching monologue," Walt said.

The bird's comment left a smile on Charles face. "Thank ya, bird!"

A second or two later, they all heard someting coming from the Loud House. It was the door as Lincoln came to open it. It had Charles quickly smiling. "Oh boy, I know that sound! That's comin' from a door hinge!" The four shifted their attention to outside of the pooch pen. "Well wouldn't ya know it pals, It's my boy dressed in orange!"

The eleven year old boy whistled for Charles to come inside and open up some presents with him along with his ten sisters. "Here Charles! C'mere boy! Everybody's waiting for you!"

The pets glanced towards each other before turning their attention back outside the dog house. "Well, c'mon pals!" Charles said. "Time fer more presents ta tear through!"

One by one, the pets zipped out of the doghouse and straight into the house to join in on the fun with the family.

~Merry Christmas from your favorite Loud pets!~