By Charlotte Byus
Ten days ago, RR & I began a new adventure. We have been housesitting for a friend and her dog name Sophie. We have not had a dog in many years, our last dog was Shannon, an over-spotted and over-sized Dalmatian. Sweet dog and a best friend of our cat, Nothin, they did everything together. I mean everything, even catching June bugs. Nothin would jump up and swat the bug and Shannon would eat them. What a team!

Back to this past 10 days … We have a schedule to follow that works well with our schedule. I am a morning person, so when Sophie needed to go outside, somewhere between 5 and 6, it was OK with me. I would grab a throw off the couch, a flash light, and off we would go down the stairs. At first I was concerned that Sophie was making too much noise, as she would bark from the minute she was outside the door until we landed on the last step. I would try to make her be a little quieter, but then I found out she was getting rid of the varmints. OK Sophie, you keep barking! I did not want to run head on into a skunk!

Around 8 or so we would start our morning walk. About four weeks ago I started walking in the subdivision behind our home. Good thing, as Sophie enjoys a brisk walk in the morning. With that being said, just about the time I get my heart rate up, she stops to smell something really important, or to watch something in the air that I cannot see, maybe a flying invisible unicorn. Then she is back to the house for a doggie nap (you can’t call it a cat nap).

We play catch with the ball and she knows “go get it” and “bring it back”. Now one day, I headed down the stairs barefoot to play catch and we both ended up with grass burs in our respective foot and paw. Lessen learned! I wear my flip flops. Sophie always stops and lifts her paw so I know to get that darn sticker out.

Dinner time is when she sticks her nose in my face, I’ll be on the couch reading and her tail is just a’wagging. It could be a lethal weapon, especially when you don’t know it’s coming. After dinner, we have another walk. All is well until about 9pm, and then it’s time to head down the stairs again for the final time of the day. Again, she makes sure all varmints know we are coming down the stairs.

Now I must tell you – I feed her, walk her, talk and pet her but who’s side of the bed does she sleep on, of course, RR’s. Who does she go to for pets and sweet words, RR. She is down for a nap with him and right beside him on the floor for a good night’s sleep.

What is the deal, Sophie? It’s okay, I love her anyway.

My new friend, Sophie.

[10-30-2017]