Today was a sluggish day for my 2-leggeds; She didn't get up at our usual 6 a.m. time choosing instead to lay rigidly in bed even when she was awake, trying to fool me into thinking She was sound asleep. Of course I can tell when She's pretending but I let her "sleep" until 7 a.m. and then promptly stood at the edge of the bed and began my morning reveille routine. What is this routine you ask? Basically flopping my ears back-and-forth in what 2-leggeds initially think is a pretty funny manner. This quit being funny to her (and him) about two years ago. Now instead of setting the alarm and hitting the snooze button, She or He gets up and pats me on the head as they reach for any garments that will coincide with the outdoor weather. This is one of my important daily tasks--waking the household. Occasionally I choose to do this at midnight, or 2 a.m., sometimes because someone forgot to walk me before bedtime, sometimes just because I can.
Anyways, this a.m. we all had a treat as we jumped into the car and headed to our little town's mountain switchbacks for a 2-mile hike. I like this hike (it's all up hill) more than any other local walks She or He takes me on. This hike is filled with amazing scents from wildflowers to deer poop (our households' preferred reference to bowel movements), from every bug imaginable to coyote scat. For me it is yet another opportunity to see who else of my 4-legged buddies has hit the trail; a time to catch up, leave puppy posts, and smell any newcomers. The best part of the hike is the shady areas and the cool water She always brings for me. Now, if I could only get her to bring treats!
