Jealousy (Again)... And a poem.
April 14, 2010 
Once again I find myself jealous of my dog.
This is wrong.
I shouldn't feel this way.
I live a much easier life than they do... Soft bed, warm house and all. In fact, most of the time I feel a little bit bad for them. They used to be house dogs; now they're not. I just couldn't handle the hair anymore... The amplitude of hair that I had to sweep up every day. Once I had children, my time for sweeping up dog hair quickly vanished.
So, like I was saying, sometimes I feel a little sorry for them.
But then Burley does this...
He lays in my new flower bed. He thinks I've groomed it specially for him.
And I don't really mind, because there aren't any flowers actually planted in it yet.
But I do look at him and think, "Why can't I be welcome to take a nap in the sunshine, in someone's flower bed, like that? Why don't I ever get to bask in the sunshine? When is it my nap time? Will I ever nap again? Why does that dirt and rock look so comfortable? Does anyone love me?"
The funny thing is, I'm not even a big napper. But these beautiful spring days just kind of make me want to take a big ol' nap. Wherever. Whenever. I would soooooooo love to fall asleep near an open window and feel the breeze on my cheeks and hear the birds singing.
The depravity of the life I lead, it's monumental.
Feel sorry for me, will you?
The whole situation has inspired me to write a quite bad poem...
When is it my turn
to sleep on those rocks?
When is it my turn
to kick up my socks?
Why doesn't anyone
want me to snooze in their flower bed?
Doesn't anyone think
I'd like to rest my head?
That person who said,
"Sleep when your children sleep,"
Never had laundry
or kitchen floors to sweep.
I guess I'll just have to
walk around in a fog.
And dream that someday I'll lead
the life of a dog.
Please, no applause.
Burley and I have an agreement that he'll stop doing this once the flowers are planted, but I'm not totally sure he's on board, because he does this...
I know, it doesn't look like he's doing anything. He looks all innocent and sweet.
But that's the problem.
He's being very innocent and sweet.
And it's totally deliberate.
This is the expression he makes -- ears pinned back submissively and doe eyes -- when he wants me to allow him to do something.
"Please don't make me move. Look how cute and sweet I am," he says.
I've seen this look many times before.
When he jumps into bed with me...
"Please don't make me move. Look how cute and sweet I am. I'll just lay here by your feet, okay?"
Okay.
When he wants a piece of bacon...
"Please don't withold the bacon. Look how cute and sweet I am. I promise I won't get any fatter, okay?"
Okay.
When he wants to eat the neighbor's goat down the road...
"Please don't keep me on the leash. Look how cute and sweet I am. I'll just devour it in seconds and no one will ever know it's gone, okay?"
Um, no.
I have to draw the line somewhere. But you get the picture... His powers of persuasion over me are quite strong.
I really don't know where I'm going with this, other than to say that I fear for the fate of any flower beds I may attempt to cultivate.
I may just have to let him start sleeping in my bed again instead.
We can nap together.
Problems solved.
Reader Comments (6)
I love the cute little poem. It so describes your life right now! You really could write a book.
I think the dog doesn't look all sweet and innocent, I think he looks very cunning. You really need to harden that heart of yours and lay down the law! Yup!
I gotta go now, cuz I got cat hair I gotta clean off my new bedspread. Those poor babies haven't had their canned salmon yet.
haha
I'm wondering when this little pup of mine is gonna let me sleep again! How long does it take to house train anyway????? I'm tired! : )
next time, just make him scoot over and take your rightful place on your own flower bed!! nap away, woman! nap away!
Oh how sweet! No wonder you give in to those beautiful eyes! I love your blog. It is really fantastic. We don't have dogs, but we have three cats who all have their very own personalities. Toby is my favorite - an all black, long-haired cat who is a snuggler and lap cat. I have a hard time turning him down too! :)
A profound, insightful poem, madame poet.
Cate :-)
I'm behind on reading posts....hopefully Burley will find another sunny spot to nap once your flowers are in. He is adorably innocent looking....