By Adria L. Henderson

and Lisa N. Peterson

It must be morning. The sun is coming up over the hill in the backyard. I really need to go outside. Should I push the bedroom door open and let the hallway light in? That usually wakes everyone up. I’ll bark. Good. That did it.

The cold weather is great. It really gives me an energy boost. Sometimes I just run around in circles because it feels so good. The backyard is still covered with snow and filled with wonderful smells. What’s this new smell? Deer, I think. I’ll have to check it out. Mom is going to be really upset again. They ate the top off the new azalea bush again.

Looks like everyone’s finally awake in the house and that means breakfast. I’m really hungry and there’s no food left in my dish. Mom and Dad are having banana pancakes! Hey, wait a minute. I stared at them with my best starving-to-death look but they didn’t save anything for me. No one is giving me table scraps anymore. I’ll have to check the garbage can as soon as they leave the room. There’s always the cat food if I get really hungry.

I heard them say that keeping me on just my dog-food diet will keep me healthy and keep my weight down. The new dog food she’s been adding into the old stuff is really pretty good. Mom and Dad really do know what’s best for me, I guess.

Maybe I can squeeze in a short nap before I have to go out again. Where should I nap now? The fire’s gone out in the fireplace so my spot in front of the hearth is out. The bedroom door is closed, so the bed is out. I wonder if I can sneak onto the couch while they’re getting dressed. They’ll probably never notice. Oh, that feels really good. Oh, no. They’re coming out. If she finds dog fur on the couch she’ll be really angry. Good. No evidence.

She’s picking up her car keys. Maybe we’ll go for a ride today. I’ll run-around in circles so she’ll know that I’m excited and want to go too. Here comes my leash. Yeah, I’m going too. I think I’d like to go to Holcomb Hill for a really long walk. Or maybe the Ram Pasture. I can usually find some friends there to run around and play with. Maybe I’ll get to see that Black Lab, Jessie, from Main Street. She loves to play fetch with me. She can hold three tennis balls in her mouth at once! And she’s really cute.

It used to be a lot easier getting into the car before we got this new SUV. Now I have to jump into the back and I’m not that young anymore. How do I let her know that she needs to get one of those car ramps so I can just walk in? Maybe I can tear out a picture of the doggie ramp from the pet catalog and leave it at the back door.

She’s turning left onto the street in front of Fireside Inn. That means we could be going to The Ram Pasture. No, we just passed the sign. I guess I’ll have to see Jessie another day. I hope we’re not going to Vet’s office. Maybe we’re going to Holcomb Hill. Here comes the Flagpole.

She’s turning left up the hill. Holcomb Hill it is. I wonder who else is going to be here today. Maybe my friend Max, the yellow lab or possibly Roxy, the boxer. She’s always fun. Maybe Lisa and OB will be there. That would be the best. Boy, the view is great up here. I think my Mom likes it up here as much as I do.

I’m getting pretty tired and hungry from running around up here. I think I’ll take a nap in the car on the way home. Have to jump back in the car again. I better find that ad soon.

Oh good, we’re stopping at the bank. The lady at the drive-up window seems to like it when I bark. It’s usually good for a treat or two. Here comes the dog biscuit. Works like a charm. 

We’re turning into The Grooming Spot. That means I’ll be here a while, but Jackie really likes me and I’ll get to see lots of friends. I’ll feel terrific later, too. That water feels great. Going to get rid of all that fur that’s so itchy. Isn’t that Cuspid over there? I’ll have to remember to ask her about her new agility class. I hear its great fun. Time for the drying cage and a nice, long nap. Brush, Brush. Don’t I look super? Now that I’m really clean maybe Mom will let me sleep on the couch! There’s Mom now. Time to go.

Now where are we going? Stop and Shop? Mom knows she can’t bring me in there. We’re going into the pet store. That’s more like it. Look at all these great treats. Which one do I want this time? Those dried animal parts look really scary. I’d rather have that great big rawhide bone. I’ll push it with my nose. Smart dog. She’s buying it for me. Lots of pets and hugs from all the people in the store. I love it here, but I’m getting really hungry again. I hope we’re heading home now.

Smells like we’re on our street now. We’re home and dinner’s on. That means me, too. A quick run around in the yard. There’s that smell again near the stonewall. Maybe it’s a raccoon? I’ll have to check that out later. Should I chase one of the cats? Probably not. It makes Mom mad and I really want that rawhide later.

Time for me to eat. Good dinner and I’m getting some raw carrots tonight, too.

Everyone in the family room! Dad’s making a fire in the fireplace. My bed’s really warm now in front of the fire and Mom’s giving me my new rawhide. I’m really sleepy. Maybe I’ll dream of Holcomb Hill or Jessie at the Ram’s Pasture . . . definitely Jessie at the Ram’s Pasture.

Another great day in Newtown. It’s going to be a wonderful 2001.

Happy New Year everyone.

Adria L. Henderson and Lisa Peterson are the owners/operators of Safe at Home, a Newtown-based pet sitting service. We love to hear from our readers. You can reach us at (203) 426-5784, at PO Box 427 Botsford, Ct. 06404 or e-mail us at animallifestyles@usa.net.