The Little Pack

Pure Joy

Love, love, love this picture.

Somewhere along the way we began to set time limits on toys. Toy Time officially ends at 10pm. Jackson has learned what “It’s past Toy Time, Buddy” means, along with “Last time” and “One more time.” The best part is that  he seems to have a sense of when Toy Time should end. Occasionally my husband will try to tell him that Toy Time has ended early, at say 8:30. Jackson knows better and will look at him like he’s stupid. But tonight at 10 o’clock exactly, Jackson stopped bringing me his toy on his own and laid down. My dogs never cease to amaze me.

Umm…. is this really necessary Jack? Not only does he have 3 toys, he is hoarding them by laying on top of them so no one else can have them. When I say Jackson is obsessed with his toys, I do not exaggerate. In this instance Jackson kept all the toys to himself, but often this is not the case. If I am preoccupied (surfing the net, writing, or even sleeping), Jackson will just keep bringing me more and more toys, as though the reason I am not playing with him is due to his toy selection. Hmmm, she doesn’t seem to like the rope toy, what about the squeaky duck? Soon a whole pile will have accumulated around and on me.

Ah, toys… And though a whole basket of toys awaits, the only toy worth having is the toy some else already has. Cheyenne’s greed has overcome her and she is thinking, “If I can’t see her, she must not be there.” Dixie is mid-woof, incessantly carrying on and on until her woofs turn into shrill, desperate barks, insisting that Cheyenne give it back right now. And meanwhile Jack waits in the background, toy at the ready. If there are games with toys, he is not going to miss out. “Hey, maybe you can just throw mine while they sort this out?”

This morning, the very act of me waking up caused a major celebration amongst the animals. Before I even got up, every time I moved even a little, Jackson barked jubilantly and leaped off the bed. Cheyenne came and gave me kisses on my face which makes me nervous considering I’ve seen what she eats outside. So I finally open my eyes, and what do I see but several toys strategically placed around me. That would be Jackson’s doing. I should I explain I am not a morning person, at all. But I oblige and throw his toy a few times before I even get up!  Once I get out of bed, complete chaos ensues. Dogs start racing around everywhere, the cats are crying, Dixie and Jack are bringing me their toys, IO is leaning against me, Chey is playing with a toy (what is that about lately? very strange), Archie starts crying, and I call him to me and he comes to me! He lets me pick him up and put him in my lap, which is maybe only the 2nd or 3rd time ever. He is not a lap cat. And then my husband asks if I want a cup of coffee and brings it to me. I really couldn’t ask for more this morning. A husband and a whole pack of animals that love me!