Sytsema Christmas Letter: 2020
My dearest Santa Paws,
My name is Milo, but I am also called “Stinky,” “Milosh,” “My lo my love,” “Chungus,” and a few other names that my Marty says I am too young to repeat. I have been on my best behavior since my humans took me home in May. I am a “pandemic pup” because my humans needed the healing power of my kisses and affection. They really keep me on my toes! They keep hiding my favorite shoes, putting my snacks on high shelves to challenge me, and they tell me to leave sticks outside and then bring in A WHOLE TREE and tell me I can’t play with all the toys hanging from it! They are so silly. Listen, if there is one thing I know for sure, it is that I am a good boy. People tell me all the time. This letter is not for me, it is for my humans. They have their flaws, but they are good humans and deserve to be on the good persons list.
My Marty is the tallest human. He works at this really cool place called i’move that has so many fun places to sniff and pee. This pupdemic has been really ruff, so I have allowed him to give me lots of belly rubs. It is the least I can do. i’move stayed open, but my Marty had to lay off 80% of his team for a while. He is now very happy because everyone is back including the new Whitehall clinic (more pee places!!), and he got to spend weekends with me because he was not away teaching. He says thank you to everyone for wearing masks and staying safe so that i’move can stay open.
My Heidi is a very hard worker. She has an office in every room of the house! She works so hard that she does not even have time to change out of her pajamas most days. My Heidi loves spending time snuggling me at home, but she misses her peoples and her parties. The only problem with my Heidi is that she is in love with her AirPods. She used to think they were dumb but now they are soooooo good and life changing for zoom meetings. I think they are not that great. I ate one of my Grace’s AirPods and they were mediocre at best.
My James is very smart. He graduated from Calvin University in May and is living at home, doing online mortuary school at Worsham College. He is a busy busy guy, balancing school and working at Sytsema Funeral Homes, as well as loving me unconditionally and unmarking my territory in his basement. My James went camping in the You Pee with some of his pals and landed me a gig as mascot for the funeral home’s volleyball team, the “Six Feet Underdogs.” I love my James, but his newfound love for Cowboy Ballads makes it difficult at times.
My Anna is a sweet kid. When I was but a wee little pup, she would wake up early with me to play, snuggle, and eat strawberry Greek yogurt together. We were the best of friends, and I loved her the most (don’t tell the others). She finished a challenging first year at Calvin, missing her friend Olivia Haverkamp who passed away from cancer in January. My Anna decided to pause her schooling and move to London for the fall to live with our friends. She met amazing people and visited incredible places. She is back home for Christmas and then will return to London to continue her adventure. We are glad she’s here, even though I enjoyed being the messiest in the family.
My Grace is a very good Grace. She takes me on so many hikes with her friends and makes sure I am taken care of when she is gone at work or school. She is a Junior at WMC and she got to do some school online from Florida with her friend Cate. I missed her so. She had a great time playing golf for the Warriors this fall and doesn’t seem to mind my creative destruction of her shoes.
My Charlie is my best friend. She shares all of her food with me. We play a fun game where she runs away and I chase her until she playfully attacks me. She is such a sweet pupper and I love her.
Santa, this year has been ruff. My humans are so thankful for everyone working on the front lines, as well as everyone who is doing their part by socially distancing and wearing masks. As soon as we can be together safely, I promise to give everyone the sloppiest doggy kisses that I can.
Warmest regards and best belly rubs,
Milo J. Sytsema
Dear Santa, please get rid of milo. thanks. -Charlie
