Our little dog, Sheba, loves my husband, Chuck.  Every morning, when it’s my turn to get up first in order to feed our obnoxious, demanding cats, I carefully close the bedroom door. If I don’t, Sheba runs upstairs and bothers Chuck until he gets up and comes downstairs with her.

This past week, I got up first one morning and forgot to close the door. As always, Sheba raced up the stairs before going out to do her business. Usually, she comes back downstairs discouraged but willing to get on with her routine. But, no! The door was open, and she was able to see her beloved Chuck. Her tenacity had been rewarded!

Now, I could be annoyed that she only does that on the mornings when Chuck stays in bed, not when I stay in bed. (And sometimes I am). But I also know she’s right. He’s much nicer to her than I am, even though I do love her. But I love her on my terms, not hers. If she gets too needy and lick-y, I push her away. Chuck doesn’t. He just leans down and lets her lick his face and tells her what a good dog she is. He also never yells at her when she barks madly at the trucks going by telling her, as I do, that she’s a bad dog for making all that noise.

They say animals “know.” I wonder what it is they know. How far they can push us? How well we respond under stress? How much we love them? Frankly, I think those are only questions we humans ask, not dogs. Certainly not cats. What they know are the basics: That it is safe to climb up on your lap and fall asleep (cats, of course.) That you will do your best to feed them and get them water in a timely fashion (both). That they love you, and are thrilled to see you every time you leave and return, – even if it’s only for ten minutes (dogs, of course.)

As I got up this morning to feed the annoyingly persistent cat at my ear, I carefully shut the bedroom door so Chuck could have a little more time to wake up. Going out the front door, the cats followed the dogs out. What about all that meowing moments before? I thought. Stepping outside myself it became clear: it was over 40 degrees and felt like spring. Everyone should be out!

As we all came back in the house, we could hear Chuck moving around. Both dogs raced upstairs to greet him, while the cats settled onto the dog beds close by our propane heater. That’s another thing they all know: Dog beds are for dogs in name only, unless there’s a better spot on the couch or bed then, by all means, knock yourselves out, dogs. . .

Happy Spring!

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