May 7, 2012

White Dog stood on Steve's chest. "It is 6:30! I cannot believe you are still lying in bed! The Day is wasting! We have lots to do!"  "Little One," I said pulling her into a cuddle and off of Steve's lungs, "the Lab doesn't open for another hour and a half."

"Not THAT," she stressed referring to my routine every six-week blood work. "I forgot you have to work that in TOO! Get MOVING!" "Calm down White Dog you are getting all worked up and are not making sense."

"Fergie and Jake and their humans are going to be here in just about 35 hours and you two are SLEEPING!" "AND," I asked?

"Look at all of the dust bunnies under my chair! And all of the dog toys have YoYo spit on them. And you and dad have been talking about repainting the kitchen for a year now. Shouldn't we bake cookies and a pie and those cheese wafers Quinn likes, Fergie and Jake will love those. The Army needs a good brushing and Nuka sounds like a warthog. Shouldn't you make sure Michael's room is clean?" She paused to catch her breath.

Steve pulled the blanket over his head and was groaning. "Whoa, WD, you need to find some perspective here. And stop picking on Nuka; she has allergies. We are VERY lucky to have friends that love us so much that they will just spontaneously decide to drive for seven hours to come visit, right? They must REALLY care about you and us and the whole White Dog Army, right? Do you really think they will stop liking us if they come and YoYoMa has his toys out of place? Or if Puff has messed up her blankets into a nest? Or if you have left crumbs on the arm of my chair?

"Relax, let's enjoy the anticipation of this grand reunion and first meeting, for they have not yet met Nuka or Puff or Yo. You will be surprised, when they arrive all of the dog hair will magically become invisible and the dusty woodwork will glow warmly...that is the amazing power of friendship. All we all will see is a wonderful time of togetherness in a comfortable place filled with welcome and sanctuary. Trust me."

"But,..." she started and I silenced her with a kiss on the nose. I knew she would think about what I said and understand.

I came home from the Lab later to find a note on my chair. It began, "You are so right about the power of friendship, momma, and I know Jake and Fergie are coming to see US not the sticky spot Quinn left by his food bowl, but here are some things you just might want to consider doing before they arrive: 1. Tile the sunporch; 2. Put in the summer annuals..." Steve, reading over my shoulder just shook his head and muttered "she gets more like her momma every day!"