The Dog Days of Winter

The Dog Days of Winter

It’s so nice to be warm. I don’t know much, but I do know that. Usually the best places are the warmest places. Sometimes these bright spots are on this couch, or the other couch, or that chair. That chair with the kindly obliging pillow. I love when the sun’s on that chair. I love that chair.

Archie has been housetrained for almost a year and a half by this point.

Is it time for dinner? The sun is getting tired. It has to be time for me to wake up. For now just use the eyes, I can roll them around until I find them. Looks like they're busy.

Archie has a very intentioned whine to let us know he needs to be walked outside.

Outside the big window there are little birds. I think I can see the rabbit that’s always in the courtyard down there in the courtyard. It’s hard to see that far today, there's a lot of big snow flakes. I’m pretty sure I can see him bounding through the white dirt down there. Have you heard about all the different weird dirts? The dirt on the couch is my favorite. That dirt is the easiest to move and sometimes its been ready- made into spot between the human’s legs.

Archie begs when needy. Archie is uncompromising when he knows what he wants.

I guess I had drifted back to sleep because as I opened my eyes I could see the white tip of my tail dancing in tight circles behind me. By the smell of it the humans were making food. My tail already knew what I was beginning to remember, I might get some human food, but I’m definitely going to get my kibbles. Time to get up and make my presence felt.

Archie is both sneaky and vocal. He has more patronage then mischievousness.

By the time I finished stretching myself awake the humans had already poured wine. Getting up takes me a while. First I gotta convince the rest of my body that it wants to be awake, which always takes a little while, then I have to remind my back to arch, then roll. Of course my hindquarters are the last to catch up. They’re always looking for a couple more seconds of rest, so sometimes I have to drag them off the couch while they’re still sleeping. They’re always slowing me down.

Archie's life is woven into our life. Archie's gravity vibrates in our orbit.

I’m fed, I’m full, and I’m fulfilled, but something is in my stomach. The kibbles tasted like they always do. I finished the bowl quickly, but not too quickly. I always eat quickly. I wonder if they had left peppers in the bowl they passed me. I love peppers. I love every color of peppers. Including the green peppers. Eventhough a couple of days ago I stole a green pepper that hurt the tip of my tongue. I saved that pepper for later. I think it’s time for me to do my numbers. Oh man, it’s still snowing. The snow and the rain are wet. I’m just going to lie over there for now, I already feel better.

Archie really wants to do what's best. He just doesn't like inconvenience.

If it wasn’t for swords clinking and men screaming on the human’s screen right next to me I probably would have been woken up by the rumbling in my stomach. I know what that means. I look back over my shoulder to the humans. Despite me lying in the pocket of their legs, they're paying more attention to the screen. Normally I would go over there to that spot on the carpet, sit anxiously, switching the weight off one foot to the other, and whine. But I don’t think they want to get out of the dirt. It’s warm. I think I’m going to walk myself, even if I don’t remember the last time I went for a walk by myself. I should go outside shouldn't I? But inside isn’t four floors away, outside is, and so what the dirt is different. I don’t think the humans will notice.

Archie is forever loyal. Archie also left both numbers in the bedroom the other night.