My sweet parents...

[Glacier]

Any reason in particular that Stuart hates the holidays??

He had a pretty miserable childhood and Christmas was no better than the rest of the year. He comes from a small family and most of them don't speak to each other anymore. He has contact only with his father. I come from a huge extended family and in general we all get along pretty well. I don't get along with one of my brothers, but we are civil to each other at family events and he doesn't influence my relationship with his kids, who I adore.

Most of my family thinks Stuart is a figment of my imagination. He's only ever met my parents and my sister and her kids. He's never met my brothers or their families or anyone from my extended family. I think the big family freaks him out a bit. The critters are an easy excuse for him to stay home! Not even an excuse really since we can not find a house/critter sitter! One of us always has to stay home!

[Samantha Puppy]

Well, it's good that you have a built-in critter sitter but I am sad for him that he doesn't enjoy such a special time of year.