Dogs of Our Lives

 Alert! Alert! Alert! I have an announcement to make! Get up! Wake up! Stop what you are doing! Meet me in the kitchen! Repeat! All dogs in the house go immediately to the kitchen! This is not a drill! Pepper? Pepper! Do you hear that? Nash is sending out an alert!  Oh, Tammo, you know him. Nash loves drama and he likes to protect everyone. Well, except Mr. Toad. He's afraid of Mr. Toad and doesn't protect him - he runs from that silly toad. Just go back to sleep. It's probably nothing. But what if it's not drama? What if it's really something?  (Rolling over onto her back) Look, buddy. I'm telling you. It's nothing. Ignore it and go back to sleep! (Muttering to self.) I'm not so sure. I'm gonna find Lynn and ask her. Lynn? Lynn! Are you busy? I have a question. What's up, bud? And I thought you were napping with Pepper. At your age, you should start taking more, you know. (soft chuckle) (Thinking) At my age? What does she mean by that? (Aloud) W...

"Pepper! Tammo!" Time to go inside. This sun is making me sleepy, and I can't lay down on the patio and sleep like you two can!" "I get the pillow by Lynn's head!" "No you don't, Tammo. She's  my  partner. I have to make sure she is safe at all times. So I get the pillow." "Boy, am I tired. I was up late last night and this nap is gonna feel so good. You two sleep tight!" Pat, pat on their heads. "I saw what you did, Pepper. You snagged the dolphin and brought it to bed with you. You know the rule - no playing on the bed while Lynn is sleeping." "I'll just remove it and make sure that 'Miss Guide Dog' is following ALL the rules." "Heh, heh, heh! Pepper is too busy grooming herself that she hasn't noticed I've got it!" "Pepper and Tammo, will you two stop playing so I can sleep? Do I need to make you get off the bed??" "Okay, Lynn. I'm sorry." "Sorr...

Welcome back, students! We are going to dig right in and get started with our learning this morning. Do you like animals? I do! I thought it would be fun to use animal examples in our learning this year. What do you think? Would you like to do that? (pause) My goodness, such excitement! Please have a seat so we can get started. (pause) Sweetie, will you please sit down? That's exciting that you take cheer and dance classes. Thank you for offering, but right now isn't a good time to show us how to cheer when we are excited. Okay, I will think about maybe creating a class cheer. Yes, you can help. Please sit down. (clearing throat) Today we will learn "up" and "down." These horses are walking UP to the gate. I agree; they are very pretty! Please remember to raise your hand if you want to share! They are coming UP to the gate for some carrots. Thank you for raising your hand. (Pause) Well, yes, they do like sugar cubes but I only had carrots in my fridge.  Oh, ...