i’m the house/menagerie sitter
for my daughter and her family
waiting for me at her house
two cats, kind of twin-ish
not always sure which is in or out or both?
also one of the sweetest dogs ever
cocoa, like the chocolate
the pets must think me to be a monster
quickly found out the invisible fence isn’t working
when I let cocoa out
two different kind neighbors brought her home
the snow melted
on the day they left
she immediately has spring fever
have to put cocoa on a long lead in the yard
she feels restricted refuses to walk around or sit down
just stares in the window sadly
can’t find her leash, have one delivered
we go on long walks
like steering an excitable pony
finally calming
at about the forty minute mark
we are home again
now she is sad
when I eat and don’t share my food with her
when i
work on a puzzle or write or watch a movie or read
or do anything else
she stands by me or lays by me and stares
have to hide my eating, keep it a secret, open things silently
feeling guilty
she has lots of food and water and a treat when she comes back inside
still feel guilty somehow
all three sleep with me
i carve out a spot in the middle
one cat gets up at 4;30 am
wakes up the whole menagerie
i try to play dead
none of them is buying it
boom
the new day officially begins
put cocoa on the long lead outside
still dark and too early to walk
sad again and staring in the window
all she wants
is to take off or come in and stare at me
one of the cat twins is yelling to go out
the other is circling me
everyone gets treats
let sweet cocoa back in
started raining in the ten minutes she was out
now muddy and wet
wipe her down with a towel
cover the couch with beach towels
blow dry her whole body
wrap her in a blanket
she stares at me sadly from the couch
so dramatic
norma desmond in sunset boulevard
as I eat early breakfast silently
sip quiet giant coffee
one or two cats are somewhere
turn on the olympics
cocoa and i sit side by side touching on the sofa
staring
we have found our happy routine.
—
“humor is perhaps a sense of intellectual perspective: an awareness that some things are really important, others not; and that the two kinds are most oddly jumbled in everyday affairs.”
-christopher morley
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I’m glad you managed to get into a routine with Cocoa. I have seen that dog-stare so many times from Ollie. It makes you feel really guilty when you have done nothing at all. 🐶
Best wishes, Pete.
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they are masters of it )
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Aww, what a sweetie–the like Norma Desmond line made me laugh. Our daughter’s dog is very dramatic, too.
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it’s so funny, some just have that personality )
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Those eyes.
Enjoy your stay. Lovely time.
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right, old emotional soul and such a young dog )
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finally got you trained, eh?
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that’s exactly what happened )
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They miss their special humans soooo much and know how to work the caregivers every time. Those eyes!!
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you’ve got it!
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I love dogs.
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she is just a riot )
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sounds like my two pups w/ the “look” and not being able to eat by yourself. What Coco doesn’t try to follow you into the bathroom? :)
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she goes everywhere I go )
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Ah, Cocoa can play you like a cello, but it’s in tune and it’s a wonderful melody. I’m glad you’ve discovered a routine.
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she is a master and we have
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I like your happy routine!
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Anon was Keith’s Ramblings by the way!
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I guessed!
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thanks!
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Definitely an adorable dog with sad doggie eyes. They get you every time.
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she knows her power )
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Cocoa looks so sweet cuddled up in the blanket.
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spa treatment )
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So well said! And so adorable!!!
We went away for 5 weeks and our dogs stayed home with a friend coming in, feeding them, letting them out, giving them bones to chew on, throwing THE BALL for them, sharing quiet hours watching tv.
I’m sure they missed us by the greeting we got we we came thru the door – BUT – for the first week back home, all I heard was ‘Don fed us not only GREAT meals but bananas twice a day’ ‘Don played ball with us’ ‘Don let us out at 4, dinner at 6 and watched tv til bedtime’ ‘Don let me snuggle all I wanted too’.
Yes, they missed us but they enjoyed their holiday with Don – As I’m sure Cocoa is with you :D
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yes, we are having some extra special treats and fun, so -)
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👌
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I love Cocoa! I also am familiar with that guilt stare.
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she is a master of it )
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awww how nice you and cocoa found your happy place! Pet sitting is a big responsibility!
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normally she is so easy but the part her family is gone and her yard is not protected so, we are adapting )
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A full time job Beth 🤗 a lovely one too.
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she just is so dramatic and emotional )
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Oh, this is sweet. You are having a special bond now. It can only happen since you are so empathetic and want everyone around you feel good. So lovely!
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I felt so bad for her and finally )
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So cute!
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she is!~
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I’m sure you are loving every minute of it :)
Sounds like you take some long walks!
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they are all so funny and sweet )
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Dogs are absolutely the best company. Glad she’s gotten you trained. ;)
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