Early morning alone ...

(Above: I can't make 'head or tail' of this, lol!)

When "the Boss" is away, I rely heavily on the company of my dogs.  Without them, the house would feel stark and empty.  But they never fail to light up my life.  My trio of Goldens is constantly around my ankles, watching my every move.  With them by my side, my 'empty nest' is never quite empty.  

Lexi, in particular, is a cuddler of note and offers all the affection she can muster - especially in the mornings.  During the night, she is crated next to my bed while the other two, older dogs sleep comfortably on the mattress in the corner. This way I am able to channel Lexi's endless need to romp and play to more appropriate times.  When the dawn starts making its appearance, her need stretch her legs surfaces and she begins to moan.  As I open my eyes, I am met with a determined expression.

  "Time to get up, Maxmom! Hurry up", she moans. 

If I succumb to the urge to enter dreamland again, she begins to bark, which ropes in the other dogs.  "Sleeping in" is simply not an option for me.

I get up, put on something warm and open her crate.  By this time Toby and Tammy are also dancing at my feet.  There is no time to waste.  It becomes a mad scramble as they race down the passage. They wait patiently as I fumble with the keys and rub the sleep from my eyes. Tails wag furiously.

Finally, the house alarm is deactivated and we make our way through the lounge and to the patio door.  All twelve paws prance anxiously - they can't wait to feel the grass under their feet.  The door slides open and they dash outside.  It's time to do their early morning business and read the news of the night.  I turn my back on them, zip up my jacket and retreat 

to put the kettle on.

Five minutes later, I'm back in bed with my computer on my lap and a cup of tea on the bedside table. The dogs are back at my side with renewed energy - doggie smiles painted all over their sweet faces. I can't resist Lexi's cuteness and I invite her up onto the bed.  

"Come Lexi, up!"

She still hasn't worked out that she needs to rely on her back legs to project herself forward and upward.  It's extremely funny and she looks like a four-legged pogo-stick in her feeble attempts to jump  in a confined area  Finally, I help her up and am rewarded with a thorough face-wash. She rolls over on her back and invites me to rub her tummy.  I stroke her as I boot up my laptop.  Toby looks on forlornly until I invite him onto the bed too.  Soon there'll be no space for me.  Thankfully ageing "Aunt Tam" prefers to leave these things to the younger ones and retreats to her own bed in the corner.

There is something so comforting about having a pack of Goldens by my side in the morning.  They light up my spirits and urge me to embrace the day ahead.

But admittedly I still miss 'The Boss' when he is away.

("Come home quickly, my love - I need someone to make the tea!")

Wishing all my readers a happy Wednesday and remember...

"LIVE LIFE TO THE MAX!"