Smelling Roses, Metaphorically Speaking

This has been a long and strange night and day.  I was asked to work last night, which was great but I didn't get enough sleep for multiple reasons.  Did ok till 0800 this morning - put in some charting, then hung it up with plans to come back (and yes, I did).  Went home, let out the dogs - and Hoss, the Wonder Dog, climbed/jumped the fence.  Now, Hoss is not a stranger to the pack.  They live with him every day but oh, no.  He was a dog on the other side of the fence and they gave voice to that fact.  I was so tired, I crawled into my recliner with Allie Mae and crashed - I did not hear them. Actually, they were, on occasion, quiet till Hoss showed up again.  I know he and the barking can be troublesome to my neighbors - it is to me and I love them all.  There was a reward to all this, at least for me!  When I finally roused up enough to realize if I didn't get them in and fed I would be late for my hair appointment (interesting motivation there), I went outside to corral Hoss.  He was crossing my neighbor's front yard, just meandering along.  I called "Hoss, Hoss!"  When he finally heard me, I saw this big smile on his face as he came RUNNING to me.  This big young Redbone is a softy who loves to love and bay.  Some day, I will try to get a video of this - he makes my heart sing when he does this.  Of course, once I got him inside, the other hounds realized they were STARVING.  All into their crates, meds doled out, food passed and off I went for a shampoo (which, frankly, is the highlight of getting my hair cut) and a trim.  I am trying to grow it out some - it will be a long process but we mapped out a plan.  If you ever see me with gritted teeth, I am most likely trying not to say, "just chop it back off!" 

I had not had breakfast.  I was too tired to eat - so haircut was followed by "breakfast" about 3 PM at Panera.  I visited with multiple acquaintances and staff - if you remember "Cheers," that's how I feel going to Panera.  "Hey, Robbie!"  "I'll bring your hot chocolate out to you."  Downtime  or more to the point today, time to wake up more.  Check out USA Today, abhor the new music playing (used to be Mozart, symphonic and jazz), learn a few new games on the iPhone with a friend, talk Nook, dogs and health care with a new friend when she saw me reading my Nook.  While I enjoy other coffee and bakeries as well, this one has claimed me - particularly in this weather with the fire.  Cozy, welcoming and if I don't show up for a while, "where have you been?"

Home after working some more to smell roses.  I try very hard to not talk much with my dogs.  I try to use gesture, attitude and body language.  Doesn't always work - "QUIET!!" too often resonates in my home - a habit I seek to quell.  BUT, today, today, we had quiet and love and sharing - I simply sat down on the couch, petting each and every dog carefully and attentively, stroking the sides of their mouths and the tops of their heads.  No sound, just 19 dogs and me having a love fest.  Had to move myself to be sure I included Betty Boop, ensconced on her corner of her chosen divan.  I ended up on the floor having my face washed by a Beagle mix, a Husky mix and my newest adoptee, Justus, a Black and Tan Coonhound mix.  Aw, love - it makes the world go round.
 
Sammie - my first and hopefully not my last rescue, never adopted Lab - RIP.

This is the action which lowers blood pressure, which sends out endorphins, which enriches our human physical, emotional and mental lives.  I felt the same when I had horses.  Grooming, hanging out, riding, listening to them eat....heaven on earth.  Take time to simply sit with your pet - no expectations, just sit and let the love roll over you both (or all).  Smell the roses...metaphorically speaking. 

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