When my mom, Wendi, and my dad, Bobby, decided to spend their December vacation at home, they called it a “staycation.” Being a dog, I didn’t know what that meant. But after spending almost every day with them since December 3, I now know it means plenty of naps and belly rubs.
You might not realize this, but I am a dog who likes predictability. I know that when Mom goes to work, I can hang out with Dad for a little while on the bed before he gets up and moving. (I think I heard them say he is a night owl, but that doesn’t make sense, since he doesn’t have feathers.) But during their staycation, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Mom actually took December 2 off but she was busy doing things around the house, so I was able to maintain my schedule. My schedule looks something like this:
- 6:00 am — morning walk
- 6:30-8:00 AM — refuse to eat breakfast until I have searched for treats down the hall, find Mr. Thomas to bark at, lay down on bed with Dad. Get the occasional belly rub from him in his sleep and from Mom as she gets ready for work.
- 8:00 AM until Dad leaves from work — sit on the recliner watching Dad at the computer.
- From the time Dad leaves until they come home — nap on my chair in the office, look out the window and bark at trucks, find Mr. Thomas and bark at him.
So with them both home Saturday through the following Sunday, I had to adjust the schedule. I did disappear a couple of mornings. Well, not really disappear, it was more like getting my own space. I’d go to my chair in the office. What turned out to be an unexpected surprise was that after my walk and then Mom doing some “chores” (not sure what that means) we would all go lay down for a morning nap.
Mom and I would rest for a little bit and then I would get a second walk for the day. I liked that walk because it was usually longer and a different route than what we take first thing in the morning. After that it was time for lunch, belly rubs and hanging out with Mom on the recliner. She enjoyed watching the TV. I enjoyed the belly rubs!
I was glad that they still let me go to Doggie Day Care, as I have a standing date with my friends at Cleveland Road Animal Hospital and Pet Hotel. I had a great time and really didn’t worry about missing Mom’s belly rubs, because I knew they were out celebrating Dad’s birthday. They did picked me up a few minutes early, but that was OK, or it is every once in awhile. Then it was home for more relaxation and belly rubs!
By the end of the staycation, I was adapting to the new schedule and then I heard them start talking about returning to the normal schedule. I was sad that I wouldn’t get my three walks a day or the hours of belly rubs, but I didn’t think I would be too affected around the naps. I am a dog after all. I might not sleep as much as cats, but I don’t miss out on my zzzzz’s. (Honestly I think cats sleep 16 hours a day or more! Lazy bums.)
I wonder when the next time Mom and Dad will be doing a staycation. Whenever it is, I’ll be ready!
