Be The Person Your Dog Thinks You Are

“Bob, Bob, Bob wake up! Wake up!”

“Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmph”

“Bob, Dad needs us! Wake up!”

“Lois, dad’s fine. Humans have these things called thumbs that let them take care of themselves. It’s midday nap time. Bob’s midday nap time is sacred. You’ve got a lot to learn, little pup.”

“But he’s pacing around talking to himself in the kitchen. Seems really weird. Should I jump on him?”

“He does that…like a lot…”

“So I should jump on him?”

“Sure kid, you do you. We’re not street dogs anymore, remember? It's important to remember to reframe your thinking. To these humans, everythings a privilege.”

“Sooo what you’re saying instead of asking if I should jump up on Dad, he gets the privilege of me jumping on him?”

“Hooah exactlyyyy. Now scram, it’s nap time. I sleepy.”

“And that means it’s a privilege for him to clean up the mail I shredded right?”

“Sure, if you say so.”

***

“So I jumped on dad, not sure if he liked it, but I did.”

“Lois…nap time…”

“What else do you think dad appreciates? That’s what he keeps asking himself.”

“Better say Mom.”

“Of course Bob. We all know you’re a Momma’s boy.”

“If the shoe fits…”

“Well I appreciate mom. I also like that I don’t have to beg anymore.”

“Lois…I saw you last night. You were begging hard.”

“Well I don’t haveeeee to anymore, but it’s fun! And it’s not like you’ve stopped either.”

“Stop tattling…but I’ll play along. I do like that I can nap right here looking out the window.”

“Yeah Bob, yeah. It’s nice not having to sleep outside even if some nights I really want to and dad has to carry me inside.”

“And I like this time of year when we can lay out on the big green carpet while dad looks at those bits of paper and cardboard. I think they’re called books?”

“Mhhm tasty paper.”

“Lois we talked about this, you can’t eat anything that is at your eye level. He wasn’t too happy when you ate his book.”

“I just chewed it a lotta bit, don’t be dramatic… He likes hammering on that thing too with the spinny thing going, you know?”

“Then why do you insist on clawing at his back while he does his ‘writing and records’?”

“Because I’m more important duh, Bob.”

“He’s always happy when people are around too.”

“And I’m happy when he sends them home. Mostly because it means bedtime.”

“Both him and mom are always really happy when Grandma and Grandpa and ReeRee and Ceecee come!”

“They give the best belly rubs too. But Lois, it’s naptime…should better not bite my triangles—”

What, what, what, down, little girl, down. Okay let’s go! Outside? Outside!

He smiled, and with that closed his laptop. His eyes hurt and a few minutes out in the spring air were called for. After all, it was a beautiful day.

***

There’s probably some interesting psychology in play that prevents me from outright saying things I appreciate about myself, and instead must rely on a little bit of anthropomorphism. I’ll deal with that later so I stop digressing. Here is the official list of a few things I appreciate about myself so wonderfully enumerated by my fur babies:

1. I get to spend every day with my best friend. There is nothing more on earth that I appreciate, about myself or otherwise.
2. I get to pet my dogs every single day. I appreciate the presence of mind to understand how important that is.
3. I appreciate that I once learned how to make a couple of above average dishes, and get to break bread with others without fear of hunger.
4. I appreciate that I have a roof over my head that I am committed to continually improving.
5. I appreciate that I find joy in the simple sounds of birdsong, beauty in flowers, and peace within a good book (even when Lois chews on them–true story).
6. I appreciate that I’m bullheaded enough to think you all enjoy my work. I enjoy writing. I enjoy sharing it. It would be so easy to keep all these stories tucked away instead of chasing some dreams. For those supporters out there, know that I am forever in your debt.
7. I appreciate that I remind myself continually how lucky I am to have both of my parents and both of my In-laws in my life.
8. I appreciate this big ole imagination that told me, “you spend enough time talking in the dog voices around the house, use it to your advantage, stupid.”
9. I appreciate that I got back into running. Your health is critical people!
10. I appreciate that we keep our door open to all and often have a full house (much to the initial joy, then inevitable annoyance of the two pups).

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A/N:

WC: 800. For the below community challenge:

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