I’ve always held a deep respect for people who are able to pull themselves out of their cozy, comfy bed before 6am and start their day with an early morning run. I on the other hand, love to sleep and am no stranger to sleeping through the alarm or pressing snooze.
Enter new dog.
I’m fairly certain that Ruby, my (I should emphasize that she is my puppy since Hubby wanted little to do with a furry new addition) five month old Giant Schnauzer, has new plans for me to be an early riser. She joined our family in early June and until 2 days ago has never (I’m not exaggerating) woken up in the middle of the night. She was a dream puppy for a woman who loves to sleep.
Until yesterday morning, when I Boy #3 woke me up to inform me that it smelled like poop downstairs.
I’ve never seen anything quite like it…Ruby and her kennel were painted with poop. Poop was seeping from the kennel through the wires. It was a real poop explosion, all for me to clean up.
I assumed that it was my fault she pooped in her kennel since I knew she didn’t go before bed and I never heard warning call barking that evening. She never barks at night and though Boy #1 informed me that he heard her- nobody else did- so she did her business in her kennel.
At 3:30am Hubby heard the warning barks and promptly woke me up to take her out. I could smell as a approached her kennel that it was too late. I quickly put Ruby outside while I cleaned. I’m sure the neighbors really appreciated her barking for me to let her in at 4am. It was special.
After everything was deodorized and sanitized, I was too awake to go back to bed. I thought about TV or a book, but found myself on a chair on my back patio with my freshly bathed Giant Schnauzer puppy cuddled next to me. I could hear the crickets and nighttime animals (occasionally interrupted by my protective puppy’s barks) as I sat in darknesses under the big trees in my yard. It was peaceful and interesting. I wondered which neighbors would be driving around at 4am and why as I heard the occasional car drive down my quiet street. I thought about travel as I listened to a plane pass by. Where are people going at 4am when I’m usually asleep?
I enjoyed the freedom from screaming kids during my normal morning hours. Ruby and I sat for more than an hour (she thinks she’s a lap dog) on a lounge chair and it was pure relaxation. I thought of making coffee and making this the start of my day…until I remembered that soon I’d be chasing my four boys. Once that realization hit, decided that I should get a little more sleep to tackle the day.
The truth is I really enjoyed the peace and calm of the early morning hours. While I hoping Ruby doesn’t wake me tomorrow with a poopy prize to clean up, I’m not opposed to getting up early. If she could let me sleep until at least 5, I would make that coffee and take her for a walk.
