Friday, January 16, 2015

I forgot to cancel the morning radio alarm again, but luckily I woke up at 5:00 and was able to cancel the alarm before the 6:15 alarm.  I was able to sleep until almost 7:00 before Tommy checked in with me. Once the heat pump came on, I threw back some of the covers, but I wasn’t able to get out of bed. Tommy moved to the previously covered area and sat and I assume enjoyed the “heated” sheets.

I am not amused; I was napping and you woke me!

She finally jumped down and “instructed” me to follow her out to the kitchen. She got her breakfast and I went to the study to handle the morning posts and printings. Tommy joined me once she finished eating and spent some time sitting on her chair by the book case while I typed. I was almost able to get a picture of her sitting on the chair napping, but the phone beeped which woke her up. I was able to get a picture of the newly awakened Tommy scowling at me for awakening her.

I noticed the time and realized that we needed to get moving if we were going to have Tommy’s nails clipped by Stephanie when Petco opened.  I had put out her carrier last night so she wouldn’t freak out. I got her collar off the carrier and Tommy noticed. She hates her collar, so we were off to the races. Tommy first tried behind the books in the bookcase, then behind the sofa with a little chasing around each time. I finally just decided to wait her out and pretty soon she came over to me and I was able to put her collar on her.

Then it was time for the dramatics. Writhing on her back, whimpering, and trying to lick the collar off.  You would have thought that I had chocked her.  There’s enough room between the collar and her neck to easily fit in two of my fingers, so I know it’s not too tight. The “agonizing” scene continued while I got ready.  Once I had on my coat, it was time to get her in the carrier.

She came by me and I was able to pick her up and put her in the carrier with only minimal fussing or trying to stick her head out of the top.  We were now ready to roll. We left the condo and all the way down the hall, in the elevators and the garage Tommy let everybody know that she was being taken against her will out of the condo. No amount of calming soothing talking to her did any good.

Once we got in the car she quieted down and we drove to Petco. While at Petco she was her usual complacent/compliant self until Stephanie started on the last back paw.  That’s when Tommy always gets antsy, but Stephanie being the professional handled Tommy quickly.  We then paid the fee and drove back home.  Again, Tommy was calm and quiet in the car, and this time thankfully not very loud in the elevators or halls.

Back in the condo, Tommy got her treat and we settled in and I was able to complete morning chores while Tommy took a nap. Once the chores were done, I was able to relax for a few minutes. I sat down with my coffee, puzzles and book and enjoyed some quiet time.

During the afternoon I worked on the computer while Tommy worked on her beauty sleep.  If I went into the master suite and Tommy woke up, I’d stop over and give her some attention.  When it was time to eat, Tommy would come out, but it wasn’t until around 7:00 that she decided to stay out and play.

We spent the rest of the evening playing with occasional breaks. Tommy was very enthusiastic, tearing through the tissue paper pile and making a tunnel out of the folded wrapping paper. She would use either pile as a “blind” to prepare for her next attack on whatever toy we were using.  By the end of the night, the wrapping paper was torn in half and the tissue paper was in shreds, but we had truly enjoyed ourselves.

Once the mess was picked up, I got ready for bed. Tommy sat in her usual spot on her rug in the bedroom while the television and lights were on. I read for a short time and then turned off the light.  Because it was now dark, Tommy jumped up on the bed, ate her snack and then curled up at my feet ready to sleep.