The Dance

 It's really early.  Still dark outside.  This little one got me up early.  Sometimes I think he just doesn't want to be alone in his crate.  He's really good about going into it at night.  I mean, who wouldn't be?  a soft,  warm blanket in there.....and the fact that he gets blueberries and CHEESE  right before he snuggles down for the night.  

It's a ritual.  And Sammy boy looks forward to it!  I think now if I ever came to the crate with anything other than blueberries and cheese, he might revolt!

But sometimes in the mornings, I wake up to whimpering from his crate.  So I get up.  I hurry and make coffee and then I go spring Sammy from his crate.

There's a little dance we do EVERY single morning.  Out for a quick pee.....then, as he comes in,  jumping as close to my ankles as possible as we make our way to the treat jar.  I retrieve my coffee from the microwave (I kind of have coffee milk =). Quite a bit of milk in there so it has to be warmed) and I can't sit down soon enough.....here comes Sammy.  He gets in my lap, puts his paws on my chest and he's ready for his morning rub.  I rub his ears.....his neck......up under his chin and he lifts it way high.  I think it must feel really good to have an under the chin rub if you are a dog.  Sometimes he wants more.....so he paws my hand.  Eventually, he will settle in beside me (as close as he can lay and scrunched down in a blanket) and he's back asleep.  

It's a dance he does every single morning - without fail. 

And if Michael gets up first (and that happens a LOT), he does the VERY same thing with Michael.  

So here we are.....all tucked in.  I will be doing my devotional time and Sammy will sleep.  That is until he hears Michael get up.  Then he waits - ears alert and he waits for Michael to come in.  Michael will reach down and talk to Sammy - hug on him a bit and then he's off to get coffee.  But here's the rest of the dance.  The MINUTE Michael's butt hits his chair (we are creatures of habit - same place every morning for our devotional time), Sammy gets up, shakes and off he goes to Michael.  He hops up into Michael's lap, puts his paws on his chest and waits for his second rub.  Same.  If he quits too soon, Sammy paw his hand to keep at it.  Soon Michael will get his phone out and start reading the paper and the minute THAT happens, here comes Sammy.....to my side....as close as he can lay...sleeping soundly (and dreams come too....as his little paws gently poke my side - he's chasing a squirrel I'll bet!) And the dance ends.  

I absolutely LOVE this sweet puppy.  I am so very glad that he came to be ours.  Such a sweet little gift....with a dance that I love and look forward to every single day.  

Somebody got their hair did yesterday =)

                                                                Our morning dance.