The Start Of Day .......

I can feel her breath on my chin, her whiskers tickle my nose and I know she is watching me. Her full focus is on me. She waits patiently. She won't move until she sees my eyes open. She can wait as long as I can. Our morning ritual. Our game. I carefully open one eye and watch her as she watches me. Her body is still, as she waits, ready to pounce. I carefully slit the other eye ....

She sees it and her tongue springs into action. She kisses my entire face and presses her body close for a hug. So happy to see me. She is selfish in the morning and will not allow her siblings close. This is her time. This love fest goes on until I sit up in the bed. The day begins and she jumps to the floor. Toni Louise can now face the day.

I lift my old guy, Oscar, out of the bed and carry him in my arms to the back door. With all the canines out side I start the coffee, moving very slowly as Mr. Martha winds between my legs, impatient. I scoop him up and we have our purr fest as we walk to the door to let the dogs in. He leaps down to play with his favorite dog, Toni.

Fat old Oscar stands whining at the treat jar, demanding my attention in the form of a dog biscuit. Pour dog food and water, coax the cat and dog duo in from the back yard, then into the store to feed said cat. All the while Wall-E waits patiently, watching me.

Finally I pour my coffee and settle down on the love seat to check e-mail and lose myself in the land of blog. Wall-E is right next to me, his warm weight against my left leg. The others fill their bellies and Wall-E snuggles close. This is his time. He will growl at any intruder right now. Later, after coffee, he is happy to share my affections and his seating area, but not as long as there is coffee in my hand.

This is how I start my days.