The Santa Hat Game - By Darwin

[Camilla and Darwin]

As the holidays get closer, I always get pumped up for one of my favorite games. The Santa hat game! My mom and dad introduced me to this game the first Christmas I ever had, and I love it, it's really fun. 

 

Here is how it works: My mom and dad try to get a Santa hat perfectly posed on my head, with me facing forward, looking at the camera. I try to avoid this at all possible costs.

 

Because of my incredible skills, they always form a team to make things more fair for them. My mom sits ready at the camera while my dad forces the hat onto my head. My mom also has cheese, attempting to distract me (I'm not going to lie, it does work) while she takes the photo. I then have to wait until my dad moves his hand, then whip my head around as quickly as possible, preventing them from snapping the winning picture. 

 

It is great fun! Don't tell them I said this, but they are both kind of poor sports. I'm not mad when they win... but they are always mad when I do. Human shortcoming I guess. The first time they tried this I was beaten pretty quickly, I just didn't have the experience I do now. Because I know how disappointing it is to be beaten right out of the gate, I've decided to share tips with you fellow doods who may play this game.

 

Since that first game I've had a lot of chances to improve. We do practices every month or so, with bandanas, Halloween costumes, flower headbands, etc. I usually fly through these challenges with flying colors but the real challenge is the actual Santa hat event. This year my mom had a new camera, which she told me was much faster than her old one. I was worried but I accepted the challenge. 

 

My greatest disadvantage was the fact that she could shoot so many photos, so close together. I had a few strategies to combat this.

 

First off, immediately tilt your head downwards. It will at least cover your eyes, if not remove the hat completely.

 

If that isn't working, make an nasty face or stick out your tongue. It will buy you time. I was lucky this time, my ugly faces flustered my mom into putting her camera on the wrong settings.

Make your face look normal, but make sure the hat is covering half of it. This is a wonderful mind game that distracts them with their own anger.

 

At this point it goes one of two ways. First, your humans laugh and congratulate you, giving you the cheese or whatever treat was distracting you. Second, they get really mad, throw a fit, and you have to pose nicely and LET them win. To end the pitiful whining.

 

But you don't have to be happy about it. 

 

So, have you played this game with your humans? Who usually wins? Do you have any tips? Share photos here! - Darwin

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

This is SO cute! Feel better soon, Hattie!!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh man I cannot wait to play this game, I have a pretty good track record of NOT looking at the camera EVER!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Darwin, you can use this when you don't get what you want at Christmas.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Dear Darwin,

Thanks for the tips.  So far Mom hasn't attempted the Santa hat for this year.  I won the birthday hat competition by such a wide margin, I think she's afraid to even try.  She did come home with some kind of green and red stuff to go around my neck.  I think she got that in case I'm as victorious in the Santa hat game as I was with the birthday hat!

Love,

Sedona

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Darwin, I am trying to hide this from Guinness and Murphy.  We're going to give the Santa Hat a try this year and I know that Murph is not as smart as you are, so I'm hoping to trick him into letting me get a picture.  Guinness is another story...he'll head for the hills the minute he even sees the hat.  You are one very adorable Dood!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lucy here, my Mom cheats, she tied the hat on me ... I didn't have a chance.  I didn't have to look like I liked it though.  How embarassing.

 

Yeah, Mom thought she won, but I got Sophie and we made sure there won't be any more of that nonsense going on around here!

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Hahahaha that is funny!

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

Haha so cute! I got Parker a Santa outfit today but it didn't fit him so I have to take it back! This will be his first Christmas so I don't have any photos of him yet, but this is my retriever Tucker posing in his Santa hat!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Lovin the sequence with Darwin!

[Ozzy Bob and Leanna]

What a FUN game!  I think all members should post  pictures of our doodles in Santa caps for the December project!  A good way of saying "Doodle Christmas Ya'll" 

[BG and Gavin]

Well played Darwin!  You and all of your cap and antler wearing counterparts are perfectly adorable!  What say ye NDC?

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Darwin is just adorable and you always have the best pictures Camilla!!