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Gilded Frog
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What to write in a Christmas card from the dog.

A card from the dog works because everyone can hear the voice: a little proud, a little guilty, always hungry. Here is how to sign one, and messages to copy or change, sorted by who the card is for.

By Gilded Frog,

How to sign it

Sign in the dog's name, in their voice, and keep it short: the inside of a card holds three or four lines comfortably. If the card is from the whole family, the dog goes first and everyone else follows.

  • Love from Biscuit xThe classic. A kiss after the name reads as a lick.
  • Love and licks, BiscuitFor people who don't mind dogs on the sofa.
  • Biscuit, and the humansWhen the dog is clearly the main event.
  • From all of us, and BiscuitFor more formal cards, such as to colleagues or clients.
  • A paw printA drawn paw print in place of a signature, or little paw prints round the message.

For Gran and Grandad

Grandparents keep these cards. Mention something only they do: the biscuits they think nobody sees, the walks, the chair by the fire.

  • Dear Gran, Merry Christmas. Thank you for all the sausages you didn't tell Mum about. Love from Scout x

  • Dear Grandad, I have been a very good boy this year. Mostly. See you on Boxing Day. Love, Biscuit

  • Merry Christmas Nana. Save me a spot by the fire. Lots of love and a waggy tail, Luna x

  • To Grandma and Grandpa, wishing you a cosy Christmas. I'll bring the muddy paws. Love, Bruno

For Mum and Dad

For grown-up children whose dog lives with them, or a dog who has moved in with Mum and Dad. A card from the dog says what the human might not.

  • Merry Christmas Mum and Dad. Thank you for looking after me when they're at work. You're my favourites (don't tell them). Love, Rosie

  • Dear Mum, I know it was me who ate the mince pies. Merry Christmas. Love from Frankie x

  • Happy Christmas! I've already chosen which present I'm going to unwrap. Love, Scout

For the neighbours

A card from the dog is the politest way to apologise for the barking.

  • Merry Christmas from next door. Sorry about the barking at the postman. He started it. Love, Bruno

  • Wishing you a peaceful Christmas. I'll try to keep it down. Love from Biscuit

  • Thank you for always saying hello over the fence. Merry Christmas from Luna and family x

For the dog walker, groomer or sitter

The people who look after the dog are the ones who'd most like to hear from them. Keep it warm and specific.

  • Thank you for every walk this year, even the rainy ones. You're the best. Merry Christmas from Scout

  • Dear Sarah, thank you for making me look so handsome. Merry Christmas from a very fluffy Rosie x

  • Merry Christmas to my favourite holiday home. See you in the new year. Love, Frankie

For friends who have dogs

Address it to their dog as well. A card from one dog to another is always the one people show round.

  • To Max, from one good boy to another. Have a pawsome Christmas. Love from Biscuit x

  • Dear Poppy, Merry Christmas. Let's meet at the park in the new year. Bring a ball. Love, Luna

  • Merry Woofmas to Ted and his people. Love from Bruno and family

Funny ones

Confessions work best: the stolen food, the chewed slipper, the tree.

  • Merry Christmas. The tree was like that when I found it. Love, Scout

  • I've been good all year so I can be naughty at Christmas. Love from Frankie

  • All I want for Christmas is whatever you're eating. Love, Biscuit

  • Dear Santa, define good. Love, Bruno

  • Merry Christmas from the one who'll be under the table during dinner.

Short greetings for the front

The front of the card has room for a few words. Puns read well at a glance; keep the longer message for inside.

  • Merry WoofmasThe best known, and still the one people smile at.
  • Happy HowlidaysGood for a card that goes out before Christmas Day.
  • Sit. Stay. Be Merry.Works on the smarter designs as well as the fun ones.
  • Jingle All the WoofFor a dog with plenty to say.
  • Merry ChristmasPlain and classic. The dog on the front does the work.

For a dog who has died

Some families send a card from the dog they lost this year, or remember them on the family card. Keep the words simple and warm. It is fine to sign from the family rather than the dog.

  • Remembering Biscuit this Christmas, and all the walks we shared. With love from all of us

  • Our first Christmas without Rosie. She'd have wanted you to have her share of the turkey. Love from the family

  • Merry Christmas from all of us, and from Bruno, who is with us in every walk. x

A puppy's first Christmas

The first card from a new dog introduces them. Give their name, their age and one thing they've already got up to.

  • Hello! I'm Luna, I'm 12 weeks old, and I've already met the tree. Merry Christmas! Love, Luna x

  • Merry Christmas from the newest member of the family. I'm still learning the rules. Love, Scout

  • My first Christmas! I've been told the presents are not for eating. We'll see. Love, Frankie

Put it on a card

Your own dog on the front, your message printed inside, signed in their name, and posted to everyone on your list.

Questions

Should I write the card in the dog's voice or about the dog?

Either works, but the dog's own voice is what makes it a card from the dog. Keep the rest of the family in the sign-off, for example "Love from Biscuit, Sam and Alex".

How long should the message be?

Two or three short sentences. A short message printed in handwriting-style lettering reads better than a long one, and you see exactly how it fits inside your card before you order.

Can I send the same message to everyone?

Yes. With our cards you type the message once and it's printed inside every card, each one addressed to its own person and posted for you. For different words for someone, make another card with its own message (they all go in one basket), or have the cards sent to you to write yourself.