We Always Enjoy Hosting Mr. Jake on Mt. Pleasant When He Checks in from Time to Time. The Ol' Fellow Has Been Staying with Us for Years and He's Back Again

The barking to go outside began at 4 a.m.. This is his usual routine on Walnut Beach, but when his Queen goes on luxurious trips around the world, he's sent to live with the peasant, Uncle Bry, and his his sidekick Karal. The whining for food started soon after, and even if I brought my blanket downstairs to sleep on the couch, there was no sleeping until he was fed. I held out until 5 a.m. and then he let us sleep until 7. Of course, on the couch, Karal jumps up and sleeps on me. It doesn't quite work.

This is a new arrangement, though, as Jake has had surgery and, since, has not been able to move so well, especially upstairs. In the past, he'd climb to the 2nd floor and sleep with Karal. He can't make it any more, hence the noises at the bottom of the stairs. 

These are the same noises he makes at night, as he doesn't stop whining (poor old guy) until both Karal and I lie with him and pet him to sleep. Well, I pet, and Karal gets jealous and lifts my hands over to her so she gets the treatment, which causes Mr. Jake to whine a little more. 

I told Queen Pam it was all good. It's like having babies in the house or taking care of parents. You simply have to think about time, the day, the routines, and the patterns differently.

Queen Pam got Jake when Prince Patrick got Mae-Mae, and Peasant Bry got Glamis. Sadly, Glamis fought pancreatitis and didn't make it. Four years later, Jake is showing signs of age in dog years, too, including an inability to walk as well as he used to.

Still, I love having Jake time, but feel bad when it is time for a walk, because he wants to go with Karal, but would only be good to the end of the driveway before he was tired. He does love a fenced in yard, however, and barking at squirrels and whatever is under the shed. I'm not sure the neighbors love such dog-happiness, but when he's out back, free to roam without a leash, he seems to be in bliss. 

And with that, Friday...it's time to thank God you made it.