A series of barks and the clicking of claws ended Frasier's peaceful session of reading as Martin, Daphne, and Eddie hurried into the apartment, chilled from the crisp December wind. Sighing, he closed the James Joyce anthology and gave the trio a weary welcome.

It had been almost a year since his father had moved in, but Frasier was finding it hard to get used to—especially with (in his words) the eccentric Daphne and that annoying dog.

Eddie leapt onto Frasier's lap, dampening his silk pajamas with snowy pawprints. Frasier pushed the terrier away none too gently, earning a reproving glare from Martin.

"What? I just bought these pajamas!"

"Eddie was just being friendly!" Martin exclaimed. "Why do you need those fancy pants pajamas in the first place? Back in my day, we were grateful just to have pajamas!"

"That reminds me of something me Grammy Moon used to say…" Daphne began.

Frasier sighed heavily

"As much as I'd love to hear your charming anecdote, I think I'll take my leave."

"Aren't we a ball of sunshine today," Martin muttered, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Daph', we don't need him. I challenge you to a game of checkers."

Frasier headed to his bedroom suite and drew a bath for himself, determined to have at least an hour's quiet. After pouring himself a sherry, he sank into the hot water Yes, this was what he needed to unwind.

And then Frasier heard the tap-tap-tap of canine claws. Eddie bounced into the bathroom, barked excitedly, and sat on the edge of the tub, staring at Frasier. Frasier stared back. One of these days I'm going to win, dog, he thought. You don't scare me!

Eddie gave a short bark, startling Frasier, who in turn startled Eddie. The little dog slipped and fell into the tub.

Seattle's favorite psychiatrist was not completely heartless when it came to that frustrating dog, however; he lifted Eddie out of the tub. After slipping on a bathrobe, he checked Eddie over and then, in what he thought was a great sacrifice, dried the terrier off with one of the Turkish cotton hand towels. As soon as he realized Martin's pet was safe, however, he looked around the water-splashed bathroom and gritted his teeth. This was enough!

"Come on, Eddie, let's go see your master," Frasier grumbled, picking the dog up. He stalked toward the living room. As he got closer, he heard Martin and Daphne talking.

"A little more to the right…that's better. Thank you, Daphne."

"This is beautiful! Dr. Crane will be so surprised!"

"Surprised about what?" Frasier asked as he entered the living room. An amazing sight met his eyes; Martin and Daphne had decorated the living room beautifully for Christmas!

"Do you like it?" Daphne asked excitedly. "We thought it would cheer you up."

"It's wonderful!" Frasier said gratefully.

"Hey, what happened to Eddie?" Martin asked suddenly.

It only took one mention of the terrier to put Frasier in a bad mood again.

"Your stupid dog fell into my bath!"

Martin looked crushed. "Look, I know you don't like Eddie, but you're being a jerk! Now apologize or shut your big bazoo!"

Frasier put Eddie on the floor and stood in silence for a moment, wondering what to do. As a son and as a psychiatrist, he knew it wa unkind to mock what made other people happy. Still, that dog was so annoying! He sighed, took a deep breath.

Just as Frasier was about to apologize to his dad, Eddie (still damp from his accidental bath) jumped onto the couch and began to roll around on it. Frasier shouted, his voice echoing in the apartment.

"EDDIE! Get out of here, you mongrel!"

A terrified Eddie whimpered and ran away. Martin gave his oldest son a very hurt look before hurrying after his pet.

"What are you looking at?" Frasier snapped when he saw Daphne glaring at him.

"I know it's probably not me place to speak, since you're me boss, but I think that was very rude," Daphne said defiantly. "Mr. Crane loves that dog, and you scared him!"

"I just want some peace...and a clean couch," muttered Frasier.

"It's just a couch. If I may paraphrase me mum, there'll be no couches in Hell!"

Frasier stormed to his room. All this fuss because of a dog!

In the late evening, Frasier awakened to the sound of Eddie barking repeatedly. The sound grated on his ears and he wondered why his father wouldn't tell Eddie to be quiet. Frasier didn't even have Daphne to make the dog mind, for she was on a date.

The barking came closer until Eddie was at the door.

Ignore it, Frasier. Don't shout at the dog again. Dad'll kill you, he thought to himself. But the barking and scratching continued.

Was Dad getting back at him by ignoring Eddie? Unable to take it anymore, Frasier hurried into the hall. Eddie looked at him and whimpered pitifully.

It was then that Frasier wondered if something was wrong.

"What's the matter?" he asked the dog.

Eddie whined and scampered down the hallway to Martin's room. Frasier followed, an odd sense of unease growing. Eddie gave a short bark when they were at the door of Martin's room; Frasier entered and flicked on the light. Something was indeed terribly wrong.

One week later...

"How does it feel to be back in time for Christmas, old man?" Daphne said affectionately, handing Martin a brightly wrapped package. Martin leaned back in his favorite chair and smiled.

"Wonderful! A week in the hospital drove me nuts! All those doctors bugging me with questions and the nurses poking and prying…"

"Well, you did have a rather bad heart attack, Dad," Niles said.

"Yeah, and it sucked!" Martin said.

"That's putting it lightly," Frasier commented.

"Well it did! Now Daph' will be bugging me even more, telling me to exercise and making me eat stuff that doesn't even qualify as food!"

"And you should listen to her! She knows best!" Niles declared with excessive enthusiasm, glancing sideways at Daphne to see if she noticed his compliment.

But Daphne appeared not to even have heard Niles, as she was occupied with setting up a CD of Christmas tunes. The festive music played, and she gave the Crane men (and Eddie) a broad smile.

"Now, shall we open our gifts?" she asked.

"Ooh, me first! The youngest gets to go first!" Niles exclaimed.

"Actually, Eddie gets to go first," Frasier said, causing his father to look at him in amazement.

Frasier gave Martin an elegantly wrapped box.

"Here, you can open this for Eddie."

While Martin tore the paper away from the box, Frasier called Eddie over to him and scratched his ears. The dog barked contentedly and rubbed his head on Frasier's new Armani suit, decorating the dark fabric with white hairs. Daphne looked worriedly at her boss, wondering if he'd have another outburst, but Frasier said nothing.

"Wow, Fras'! This is amazing! Eddie, come see what your big brother got you!" Martin exclaimed.

Eddie scampered to his owner and sniffed curiously at the open box; it was filled to the brim with gourmet dog treats, chew toys, and a collar that had Eddie's name embroidered on it. Eddie barked as if in approval and picked up a chew toy.

"What's this all for, Frasier?" Martin asked.

"Well, I felt bad for how I treated Eddie. If he hadn't let me know you were in trouble…"

Frasier let his words trail off, unable to think of what could have happened if he had ignored Eddie.

"Oh, Dr. Crane, that is so sweet!" Daphne exclaimed. "You did this all for that little dog, even though you think he's annoying. I'm so proud of you!"

She hugged Frasier enthusiastically and even gave him a kiss on the cheek while Niles watched in veiled envy.

"Dad, I'd like to take Eddie to the dog park tomorrow. I think we'd have a lot of fun together!" Niles said brightly, looking sideways at Daphne. Frasier and Martin looked at each other and it was difficult for them to keep straight faces.

"Oh, you silly sausage," Daphne said, grinning good-naturedly at Niles. "Always competing with yer brother!"

Niles looked very put out.

The Christmas celebration continued and through it all Eddie sat by Frasier's feet, gnawing on the chew toy and drooling on Frasier's Italian leather slippers.