Cuddle-bunnies and night-time routines...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

Caryl here...

 The "Sweet Hooligan" is turning into such a cuddle-bunny!

With the Boss away, I've allowed him to snuggle with me...on the bed, on the couch, on the floor...  He just relaxes into me - all 40kgs of him.  How adorable, how comfortable, just like a baby.  Geesh, I love this dog!

If he wants to go out during the night, he comes to my bedside with something soft in this mouth and snorts gently.  In contrast, he bangs his tail loudly against the mattress.  There is no way one can sleep through such a disturbance.  If I try to ignore him, he puts his paws up on the side of the bed and almost tips me over - snorting even louder through his soft toy.

"Okay Toby," I respond, rub my eyes and reach for my sheepskin slippers. There is a flurry of response from the other two dogs in the corner.

 It's getting really cold during the night now, so I grab a loose blanket, wrap myself up (like a "blanket lady") and switch the house-alarm off.  The dogs are at my heels as I walk down the passage towards the security door.  By this stage, they're wide-awake and desperate.  King Toffee is doing his happy-dance as Aunt Tam sidles down the passage behind us all. Once I've unlocked the security gate, it becomes a mad dash to see who can get to the sliding door first.  In empathy, even I breathe a sigh of relief as they explode outside into the cold winter air in search of their personal 'spots'.

Toby makes his way straight to the grass below the steps and settles into a very long squat.  

(At times like this the urgency of urination doesn't allow the idea of lifting his leg to even enter his brain)  It's so laughable, I'm reduced to giggles, despite being half asleep.  

King Toffee disappears, although I usually discover in the morning that he was reluctant to get his paws wet and has decided to do his business on the edge of the steps.

Aunt Tam thinks it's Christmas (despite it being icy cold and 3am).  She settles onto the grass to lie down and watch the world go by.  Eventually I have to pull the blanket tighter and approach her directly.  It becomes a battle of wits as I try to encourage her to end her vigil and allow me to return to my warm bed.

Sometimes she ignores me and waddles off to uncover some critters that have emerged in the moonlight.  It's then that I give up and lock her outside, knowing full well that I will have to respond to her moans in under an hour.

In the morning, all three dogs assemble at my beside again to urge me up and finally feed them.

All I can say is that I am so glad the Boss is home!

My duty is done!

Sending lotsaluv to all our friends around the world and wishing you all a wonderful, happy weekend with your animals.