Ryder, the ginormous gallumpus of a yellow lab has trained us perfectly. I'm the early riser in the family. I'd like to think that's by choice because I love the early morning, however lately it's become Ryder's choice. Princess Lucy of Livingston is more than happy to stay at the foot of the bed, warm and cozy, until one of us is ready to move. When Ryder's ready to go, he can be very persistent.
It starts around 5am. Every morning, 5am. This morning, he was off by 10 minutes and it was actually 4:50am. Trust me, I looked. A little bit of light is coming out, but its still Oh-Dark Hundred when he is ready to go.
Both of us are bone tired, and sleeping thru the entire night has become a daily challenge. When Oh-Dark Hundred comes around, its by way of a slight snuffle, and a cold nose gently nudging me. And its always me. He doesn't go to Jeff's side unless he's really frustrated with me. Ugghh, really? So I tell him to go lay down, which he does using all his 100lbs and flopping on the floor, loudly.
So, we're all up, but not moving anytime soon. Just a few more minutes, which Ryder graciously gives, until he's back with his cold nose nudging me, this time with a sloppy puppy kiss. Now I have to move, because he's doing his happy dance and knows slobber will get me moving every time.
Downstairs we go, and the two of them go out in the semi-darkness. Lucy will keep up with Ryder until she drops. I buy bones larger than her head, and she will get it away from the big guy and not let it go until she's good and ready. They make their early morning outting quick, because they know Mom will have breakfast ready for them. I seriously feed the dogs before I even get coffee started. There's a lot to be said of being a pup's human.
Lucy is a very delicate eater. She doesn't slurp or slobber. She neatly picks out the good stuff and licks the bowl, quietly. Ryder on the other hand, has no manners. None. It drives Jeff crazy that Ryder slurps, loudly, whatever he is inhaling in his bowl, or a bowl of water. He sprays water everywhere and snout still dripping, will come for a head nudge. Now that its getting warmer, the water bowl stays outside in the hopes that when he comes in, he won't be dripping. Ever the optimist.
When it rains, its a good day in our house because Mom has a TOWEL, and isn't afraid to use it. They both love the towel rubbing after they come in from a steady rain. Princess Lucy doesn't swim, and sorta minds getting wet, but she loves that towel. I swear they go outside during a downpour, just because they know the towel would be waiting.
Georgie the Wonder Dog was smart, but Ryder, the Ginormous Gallumpus, is really smart and learns real quick what works for HIM, like the whole morning ritual. He can be annoyingly happy. The front paws start his happy dance, the tongue comes out for puppy kisses, and get him near a body of water, and you have puppy heaven.
Lucy, on the other hand, loves feet. She is the perfect footstool. So long as you keep gently rubbing her back with your foot, she will stay there for hours. If you get tired of rubbing her back with your foot, and bring the other foot up, she will move to reposition herself under said foot. And she groans with pleasure when she gets a foot rub back rub. I think she'd purr if she could.
Princess Lucy is maybe 20lbs and Ryder the Ginormous Gallumpus comes in close to 100lbs They both have voices and they are pretty good about not using them. Ryder has a woof, a big, loud woof. Lucy on the other hand, only speaks when she gets excited, which is every time a walk or car ride is involved. Her voice will make you turn on your closest friend. Lucy's happy voice is high and yippy. Once she's gotten things sorted out and we're on our way, she's quiet and running between the two back windows, head out, with a smile only a schnauzer can have. Ryder usually has the other window, head out, tongue wagging. I love looking in my side mirrors at them; what a duo!
I am not even close to the perfect housekeeper because of the animals in my life (Jeff included). I can live with dog hair and boot/paw prints on my kitchen floor. Yes, we do live in a barn. I just don't have the fight in me to keep up with everyone. Sweeping/mopping a couple times a week is such a boring chore. I do it because even I have a point of enough dog hair and dirt. I have also learned to love the smell of lemon oil on furniture. Shoot me now please.
Thanks for reading my blog! I'd love to know what you think; am I boring the universe to tears? I must say I'm having fun doing this. Journaling through technology where anyone can read it. That's my goal though. Get my writing out there. It's been on "the list" forever and now I can cross it off.
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