At 5:30 nothing was stirring as I reveled in the warmth of the bed. There were two more hours to sleep before the alarm went off! My eyes popped open wide, thinking that if Kacey heard me, she’d be prancing about, wanting to go outside. Niece Chrissie tried to break her of getting up early, a habit she started after David moved out. I used to stay up until 11:30 at night to take her out, not knowing when David would come home, anywhere from 1 to 6 am. I’m still going to bed late, while hoping to sleep in the morning.
I carefully pulled one foot from the duvet, then the other. I tiptoed to the bathroom, hoping the floor wouldn’t creak. No dog in sight. The bed announced I was getting back in. Moving quicker than I thought was possible, I pulled the covers up to my chin and lay there holding my breath. Without hearing aids, I wouldn’t hear the quiet footsteps. Hoping my eyes wouldn’t squeak, I looked toward the door. Yes! The tip of Kacey’s tail moved past the bed. Hold still! Don’t move! If she suspects I’m awake, 45 pounds of dog will vault onto the bed and pounce on me! Slowly let your breath out and inhale silently. Ahh! Don’t make any sound as you relax. For heaven’s sake, don’t snore! Zzzzzzzz
The alarm chimed. Yes! 7:30! The dog appeared almost instantly “Get up and let me out, please!” said Kacey. We found rain falling on bits of ice on the front steps. The temperature was slightly above freezing, so the steps were not slippery. My third day of living alone was off to a well-slept start.
Mehrling Muse 
Do be careful with these early morning let outs. You really could use a fenced back yard. It helps…I know.
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You had me laughing very quickly and boy to I understand. Sheba sleeps in her crate but not many feet from my bed so I also move gingerly. Sounds like you are off to a good start.
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Finally, we have our dogs trained to sleep until we get up! I do think the trick is outwaiting them! Glad you got some extra zzzs in!
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My little dog is jumping all over me between 6:30 and 7:00. I make her wait until 7:00. So far no accidents. My days of sleeping in are over!
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It’s good to read what you are experiencing. I would settle for 7:00.
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One thing that helped with that was black-out curtains. It tricks them into thinking it is still dark, or at least, darker!
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Sasha is the morning crier announcing breakfast time. She starts around 6-ish. I hold her off until 6:30 but that’s the best I can do especially since it’s light.
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Well the time get earlier in the summer?
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Yes, although I ignore her so sometimes she doesn’t start as early. She would never let me sleep later than 7.
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So glad you managed to sleep in this time! I used to be like that with our old cat Harley. When she wanted us up, she would start dropping my darlings on the mirror tray I had in our bedroom.
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That is unique!
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True! She was that!
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You certainly have a guard dog there. Keep quiet….haha🥰
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Kacey barks at everything and nothing.
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When our kitty starts yowling at 5 a.m., I’ve actually been able to quiet him by saying, “Shhhhh!” That doesn’t stop him from trying again at 6 a.m., however.
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If it lasts for an hour, it is effective.
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Good luck keeping as still as a church mouse in the early morning hours, but on the other hand, Kacey is a great watchdog!
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I’m sitting in the sun on the front porch, and Kacey is barking at everything that moves. It’s a beautiful day here.
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Well you have a special guardian of the gates in Kacey. Last year you were keeping track of how often you got to eat lunch on the porch in the Winter. We could actually do that here these days with our odd weather – it’s more like May. Today it was 60 and tomorrow it will get to 71. Much nicer than snow and ice, that’s for sure.
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Funny! I think everyone who has ever had a furkid has done this.
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My dog recognizes the sound of the first toilet flush of the morning and races to greet me. LOL
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I know now how important that is.
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Most nights Rager and or Ruby wake either my husband or I any time between 11:00 and 4:00. If they both make it from 10:00 to 5:00 that’s something to celebrate. 🙂 Will Kacey be staying with you? She will probably adjust to the new routine.
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I don’t feel I can keep Kacey, because I cannot walk her. She has pulled me over. I don’t know of other ways to get exercise for her at this point. She is a digger, so I can’t let her loose in the yard, even if we had a fence. I would like for her to live with an active family that would love her.
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I understand. I hope you can find a good home for her.
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