Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

I’m a pretty cute guy, so I get a lot of attention when I’m out and about; “Oh, he’s so cute, can I pet him?” is not an uncommon phrase to this lucky dog. I love the attention when I’m ready for it, but at the end of a long day of exercise and preening for my fans, a boy needs some rest!

Occasionally, though, the fans won’t relent. I get paparazzi in my room when I sleep, or sometimes they wake me up when I’m sleeping on the couch because it’s time for a walk… can’t they see I’m in the middle of some quality snoozing? Oh well… I know I shouldn’t complain, but I wish I could let them know I’d like to not be bothered when I’m asleep!

Car Rides

I always get anxious when Mom looks like she’s getting ready to go out—am I coming too? Where are we going? And for how long??

Sometimes it means a shift of guard duty for me, but sometimes it means I get to ride around in the car with Mom! It’s so much fun to watch the scenery pass by from an air conditioned car. Occasionally, I’ll roll down the window and get a whiff of whatever smells we pass by. I can see why other dogs love sticking their heads out of the window so much!

I usually like to sit in the passenger seat, or in the space below the passenger seat so I can lie in the shade. Half the fun of driving somewhere is hopping out of the car and trying to figure out where we are: Stanford? The bay lands? (gasp) Jack’s house??

Other times I like to sit right in on the driver’s lap with Mama. Luckily I’m small enough that I don’t get in the way when she’s steering. It’s fun to sit in the captain’s chair, I can’t wait until my next car ride!

The Big Bed

I’ve already told you about some of my favorite spots to nap, but nothing compares to where my Mom sleeps.; when I’m good, Mom (or another family member) lets me sleep in the big bed! There’s so much space compared to my little bean bag, I don’t even mind that we’re sharing! (In fact, I usually prefer it!)

The big bed is also nice because I get to sleep between my two favorite people, Mom and Louie. It’s so cozy when all of us are together, I never want to leave! There’s also a big bed upstairs, but it’s a bit warmer up there, so I don’t like it as much. It’s usually a bit more empty too—not much to snuggle with.

I try to be on my best behavior so I get to be in the big bed most nights now! I can’t wait for bedtime!

When I'm Alone

When everyone goes out and I have the house to myself, I can do whatever I want! But… that’s not as much fun as it sounds. I like snuggling and socializing, so being alone can be kind of boring sometimes, especially because I don’t know how to tell time and I don’t know how long I’ll be alone for! Sometimes it feels like forever!!

Things are usually pretty quiet when the house is empty. There’s no one to play with, so I try to focus on work and not get to excited every time a car that looks like Mom’s drives by… I know she’ll come back! It’s moments like this that I remember I’m an extrovert, and I get my energy from playing with others.

Luckily I’m never home alone for too long, and Mom makes sure people check in on me if she can’t, so I’m usually only a short nap away from seeing her again!

The Invitation

When I first moved in with Mom, I wasn’t allowed on the furniture. Well, okay, we told everybody I wasn’t allowed on the furniture, and whenever we had company I’d be a good boy, but when it was just Mom and I, she’d pick me up and play with me on the couch… our secret!
I loved couch time so much that eventually I started jumping up on the couch whenever she sat down, but it wasn’t the same.

“Were you invited?” She would ask me.

I would look at her expectantly, my tail wagging as it slowly occurred to me that no, I wasn’t invited, and I’d hop back down. The couch just isn’t as warm if I’m not invited… I’ve gotten better at figuring out when I’m invited though. Sometimes I can even hop up without needing a vocal invitation, but I still like to be sure I’m invited. Something about the invitation makes me feel sure that it’s okay for me to be up there, that there’s a place for me; otherwise, I’m just walking all over people, which isn’t super comfy.

Of course, every now and then I’ll try my luck and hop up on my own. It feels weird, but sometimes Mom lets me get away with it!

Outside!

Lately it seems like the weather has been getting warmer, and it’s been raining less. I get kinda stir crazy if I’m inside for too long, so it’s important to enjoy the good weather while it’s here.

If I’m not going out for the day, I like to lie in the warm tanbark in my back yard with the flowers. Sometimes it’s so peaceful that I fall asleep! I can’t rest too long though; there are a lot of squirrels and birds that come by now that we have a bird bath, and I have to keep the house safe.

I don’t know why everyone feels like they need to run around all the time, but I think everyone would feel better if they slow down a little. I know people are pretty busy, but take some time to smell the flowers!

Denning and Feeling Safe

Even though it’s my job to guard the house, sometimes I get scared.

Whenever I get sacred, I like to have something over my head to feel safe. I like to drag my bed under tables or desks and make a little den for myself. Sometimes my people even help me, bringing things to make the space feel a little more safe, or toys to make me feel comfy.

I think it’s important for everyone to have a safe place, so if you don’t have one, maybe you should try denning too! It’s a lot of fun, and you won’t regret it when you need some time for yourself.

My Favorite Bean Bag

Even though my days are pretty busy with guarding the house, it’s important to take time for yourself. When I need some personal time, I go to my favorite napping place: the bean bag in my mom’s room.

First of all, bean bags are great. Whoever invented them is one of my favorite people. They’re so cozy and comfy, and they conform to whatever position I want to lie in. Other furniture is good too, but bean bags are definitely the best.

Second, the bean bag in my mom’s room is right next to the air conditioning vent. It’s warm on a cold winter night, and cool on a hot summer day—how does it know? Either way, I’m not complaining. I like feeling a little wind in my fur.

I think I feel a nap coming on now. If you need me, you’ll know where to find me!