I used to be a night owl. Early rising was for the birds. (get it? for the birds? HA!) But the longer I’ve lived with Family, the more I realized I needed to change. BFF and Mama get up very early. They say it’s their “hustle” time. I don’t know what that means. I just know that I missed out on lots of greetings and snuggle time before I started getting up when they did!
It’s very important to know, and follow, the rules of the road. For example, you must sniff both ways before crossing the street. I know Boy has this one mastered, because he mentioned it on our walk today. I’m so proud!
Behind our yard is a brick wall, and behind that wall is a sidewalk. Hundreds of dogs (or maybe just 4) get their daily walks on that sidewalk, hundreds of cats (or at least three) walk daily across our brick wall, and thousands of squirrels (or maybe two) climb up and down the trees back there every single day. As the family watchdog, it’s important that I let all of those millions of animals know who’s in charge, and that they’d better not try to mess with my family. So I ask to go outside, where I can show them who’s the boss. We won’t discuss the bobcat who threatened my territory. Mama says I’m overreacting and he’s just a mean old tomcat. He’s too mean to be a tomcat. Gotta be a wild bobcat.
Lately, my family has started doing something every day after lunch. I’m not really sure what it is, but it involves shiny black shoes that make a lot more noise than their regular shoes do. They turn on really loud music, and all five of them start banging the floor at the same time. They seem to enjoy it. Whatever floats their boat, I guess. I think I’d make the best tapper, though, if they’d only give me a chance! I have twice as many feet, after all!
If my family lets me, I can be really good for their budget. Want to know how? I encourage them to choose to spend time with me, rather than going out shopping or to dinner. They always feel so bad when they leave me here (as they should.) They can learn from my cues and stop ordering things on Amazon, too. They know I’m protecting them from everyone who comes to the door, whether they’re trying to teach us about their religion or are here to deliver a package. That should help them stop perusing Amazon. I take my family’s finances very seriously.
We live in Florida, which I think I’ve mentioned. One of the parts of Florida I just can’t quite get used to is the daily thunderstorms. I’m not a coward, but when the thunder gets very loud, I start to get a little worried for the safety of my family. So I snuggle as close to Mama as I can (or BFF if he’s not working when the storm hits), protecting them from the big noise. I hope there’s no such thing as an artificial noise like thunder. That would be crazy, and I’m not sure how well I’d handle it.
Mama is a redhead. All three kids have her light complexion. She doesn’t look her best in black, but old habits die hard. I’m doing my part to help her remember not to wear that color. That, and only that, is the reason I allow my fur to shed. I’m so helpful!
I was never really that into the whole “reading” thing. Then Mama started reading this new book about a redhead. Now I can hardly wait for 8:15, when she brings it out and reads it for 15 minutes. There hasn’t been a single mention of an animal (other than a horse), but I’m hooked!