Always...

Bella and Sophie are two of the biggest loves in my life.I crack to think of life without them- though I know that day will come. Everyday is filled with routine, beginning with the bedside greeting of warm breath and an intent gaze that says wake up, wake up it's another day- lets get going. Then a jump up on the bed for some affection and the question I pose every single day "Should we go have some breakfast?" which is responded to with a cocked head and a wag of the tail. "OK" I say, as I drag myself out of bed put on my robe and glasses and make my way to the stairs where Bella waits for me before going down. She takes one step down, stretches into a down dog position, and I scratch her rump in front of her tail, she turns her head, smiles at me, and bolts down stairs. Sophie does a little dance as if getting up for the day and getting started is the best part of the day- and maybe shes right, that it ought to be greeted that way everyday; yay a new day- a new adventure! Dogs are really smarter than humans, they get it.

After breakfast we're on to the garden, watering, weeding, pinching, and maybe a few throws of the ball or a game of chase... then on good weather days a walk through the mini forest close to our house, in which great new smells are abundant and ripe for eager noses to investigate. A couple of treats and scolding barks as we pass the yapping white pip-squeek that lives on the corner and we're back home to do whatever needs doing for the rest of the day. One thing is for certain, my companions are never far behind and always happy to follow wherever the work takes me- up and down the stairs, into the laundry room, out to the garbage, into the kitchen and on the floor next to the couch when it comes time for a nap.

My heart will be full of these two... always. Whatever the effort, I am paid back ten fold in loyalty and love.