Waking Interactions

(I was often been asked how I could be so *bleeping* cheerful when I got to work in the morning. When my Creative Writing teacher asked us to describe our morning routine, I pounced on the opportunity to put on paper just what it was that started my days off right.)

 

Workdays, I wake up to an alarm, hitting snooze 3-4 times. To ensure I do not doze off, the Ragdoll cat takes the first shift. She demands attention by strolling up my body from ankle to shoulder. She perches there to pet my face with velvet-soft paws, taste-testing the tip of my nose while affectionately removing the first three layers of skin.

 

When I get up, the next shift is taken by the little brown dog. She waits with barely contained anticipation just inches from my feet as I dress, wriggling with toothy grin, tail whirling in delight when it's her turn to get scratched.

 

The following shift is taken by the gray calico cat. She zips out of nowhere, skimming along the floor to launch onto the dryer, skidding to a stop just before she bobs head first into the food bowl. Pets, purrs and snacks are indulged in with cat's-eyes half-mast.

 

The fourth shift is the Old English Sheepdog's, rubbing me like a cat, doing U-turns between my knees. She sits on my feet when I tie my shoes with tongue lolling and peers askance at me over her shoulder or marches in place nearby with ill-contained excitement to urge me out the door for mini-playtime. I let her out front with the little brown dog to frolic comically and tend to business.

 

When we pile back into the house, the dogs take their positions for day watch and the black Burmese cat takes the final shift. She poses regally on the spine of the couch, granting me audience; condescending to be massaged and cooed to, accepting her due with haughty pleasure.

 

When I leave the house, it is with the inner peace attendant with the knowledge of being well loved. It is impossible to greet the day with a frown when such joy is the first thing given to you each day.

 

It's even better than coffee.

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Copyright Colleen D. Bergeron.
Last revised: May 08, 2004.