Lessons from my dog - Part 1

[Rachel and Ollie]

Every morning I wake up to the buzz and alarm of my cell phone clear across the room. I get up to turn off my first alarm, grab my phone and plop back on my bed until alarms 2 and 3 force me to face the reality that I must get up. 

I am not a morning person. 

I never feel well in the mornings. It's as if all the pollen in my apartment has made its way over to my bed and nested in my pillow. If life followed my wishes, I would not start the day until at least 9:00am...for some reason my boss does not agree. 

Being the anti-morning person that I am, I usually am not all that enthused about jump starting my day. 

Ollie and I are a lot alike. It's funny really, but one way we are very different is in our welcoming of a new day. 

Every morning as I attempt to drag out the wake up time to just-a-few-more-minutes, I lay as still as possible in my attempts to trick Ollie into thinking it's not time to get up...but the alarm dooms me once again and Ollie knows it and whimpers oh so subtly as I attempt to peal my face off my pillow. 

When I finally bring myself to get out of bed, I go over to a smiling fur ball and let him out of his crate. Every morning without a hitch, he comes out with his tail wagging and ready for his morning belly rub. He is so excited that he can hardly stand it. He runs up on my bed and back down again to return for a snuggle. 

Every morning I am reminded that each and every day is a gift worth celebrating. Each and every day I have the opportunity to praise God and welcome in the morning with joy and anticipation of what's to come. 

Thank you Ollie. 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Awww so sweet! I am not a morning person either so I feel your pain! I am lucky R&b are accustomed to this now and on most mornings I have to get them up!

[Rachel and Ollie]

Thanks all! He is such a big goof ball and does a great job reminding me to have joy in the little things. He makes me laugh daily...and lets me hug on him! 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Love your blog and your happy morning greeter! Jack greets me with a 'gift'! He scrambles around to pick up a toy and drops it in front of me and rolls over for a belly rub every morning! It's always a good morning!!

[Christine & Shelby]

Great blog Rachel..... Ollie is a sweetie!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

What a great blog and soooo true! That is a wonderful picture of smiling Ollie! Love it!

Tara greets the morning and pretty much everything else with great joy too!  The doodles are truly a blessing and great example for us!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I loved your blog. Thank you for posting. Each morning at 6:15 my Kona comes to my side of the bed while he waits for DH to dress for his run. He wags his tail banging it on the wall while I pet him (eyes closed). When DH is ready to go, Kona heads for the bedroom door. I love the morning cuddle I get from my big doodle boy. We have so much to be thankful for. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Rachel, This blog made me very happy. I have a morning dog, too.....my Vern and he makes me smile every morning as he first gives Fudge a big kiss and then makes his way around to my side of the bed. Life is just better with a dog!! I LOVE the picture.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

From one non-morning person to another, this was so very sweet.  My pup brings a smile to my face every morning too (which is not easy to do at 6:30am).

[F, Calla & Luca]

I know just what you mean since I am not a morning person either. I am fortunate that most days I don't need an alarm since I only work part time. But when I get up Luca is right by me, happy to snuggle and lie in. Calla is always ready to go. As soon as I stir she is there thumping her tail and ready for petting and a scratch. It does make getting up so much better.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Great blog, Rachel!  Without fail, my mornings get revved up first with Sedona kisses and tail wags, and then coffee.  I couldn't get going without that sure-fire combo!!