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Monday, March 17, 2008

Sunday, Day of Rest, as demonstrated by Dog and Cat.

Dog and Cat, living together. It can work quite well actually, so long as the dog knows that the cat is the ultimate boss.

And the boss says, lie down.

In the sunshine.




So the dog does it. The cat is a professional relaxer; the dog is learning his lessons from the master.

(Do enlarge this picture- they've both got their eyes closed and one has his tongue stickin' out!)

I was raised to take Sunday as a day of relaxation and recreation, but it's a tradition that's kind of fading in importance. Some have to go to work. But I do think this is a concept to hang onto even if it isn't practical every week. Even if it's not for religious reasons, it's just good sense.

Save one day of the week for this, for slowing down, letting everything slide for a while. Enjoy the sunshine. Hang with someone you like, or at least, tolerate. Stop working. You have to work, and should work, and put everything into it, but then you need a break. This dog works his curly tail off, barking at all those who dare to walk past our house, how dare they. He's gotta take an afternoon off. And just... be.




"Dude."



"Yeah man?"



"Uh huh."

(Thanks for not saying anything about the Ryobi Saws-all sitting in its case all winter by the sliding door. Honestly I didn't think winter would hit so early this year. And last so long. At least I can see the deck frame again... maybe another month and we'll finish it. Until then, the critters can use it as a chin rest when they're sunning themselves at the back door.)


My cool cat here, who actually does own the house, has decided that he's allowed to walk around on the dining room table now. I'm not crazy about it but it's pretty hard to yell at an old deaf cat to get off the table.


At least we think he's deaf. Hard to tell. I don't yell at him anymore.


He's always been more of a lover than a fighter. I just gently lift him off the table. Or give him a scratch on the chin.






He's done an awesome job of helping to raise this dog into a good little citizen.


"This is how it works, kid."





If there would have been room between them and the table and the piano, I might have pulled up a blanket and curled up myself.

17 comments:

Michael Colvin said...

Awww... so cute!

Dr. Medusa said...

I love this. I know I chihuahua who would like to join them in that sunny spot.

Coffeypot said...

There is nothing that looks more relaxing than a cat stretching out and going to sleep. I wish I could do that. And everyday is Sunday to me. I don't do shit all day long but worship the tube and napping.

Biddie said...

I love yer old deaf cat. He is soo sweet. Nicer than my cat even, and my cat rocks. (Buddy will be 14 the same time as The Girl)
Ruby likes to relax, but Dumble hasn't gotten the hang of it yet. Maybe The Pug can help him figure it out next month?

Heidi the Hick said...

The Pug will run his ass ragged, leaving him with no choice but to relax!

Confession: I wrote this and went back to bed. See, I learned the lesson real good...

Balloon Pirate said...

I miss my sawzall. I gave it to my brother as a thank-you gift for driving across the state and helping me get out of my foreclosed house the first weekend of January, when it was -10 outside and I had just gotten out of the hospital after my appendix ruptured.

Seemed like a fair trade at the time.

But still, I miss it.

yeharr

Heidi the Hick said...

Sawzall! Love the spelling.

I've been threatening to put all the deck building tools away for months, but he keeps saying not to because as soon as it melts outside he's getting back to work on the deck. Well... I don't know about that, since he's got another little construction project going on at the studio too.

Besides... we underestimated the amount of tools he's accumulated/ inherited over the years when we allocated a corner in the furnace room for his stuff. Ooops.

.:.KC.:. the brown eyed girl said...

I love this post.

dilling said...

yeah...I love these days at my house too...I love that my two haven't grown out of sleeping together. Fishbone won't cuddle with me or Michael but buddies right up with Eem-er.

Olly said...

I wish my cat would sleep on the floor. He prefers my or my daughter's bed and grumbles when removed! Oh yeah, I keep forgetting - this is his house.

Anita said...

Love this!:)

Our dog will get after the cats if they start to sharpen their claws on something, or get on the table or counter... He's so good at it, I really think he probably does it when we're gone, even!

Lynn Sinclair said...

Since we've had so little sunshine, I'll bet those two really enjoyed their time in the warmth.

CindyDianne said...

Aren't they adorable. And yes, we all need a day of rest. IMHO, that is how the Creator made us and our bodies and spirits are healthier when we take that time.

captain corky said...

We try to make Saturday our day for relaxing and spending time as a family because I work on Sunday nights and Allyson has to do work for school on Monday. But one day a week for relaxing and spending quality time is very important!

Heidi the Hick said...

It doesn't even matter what day it is, as long as you get one day to recharge!

katy said...

ah bless well done that cat you sure know how to teach the dog.
a great post and I definately would have grabed that blanket!

FOUR DINNERS said...

one day two days, doesn't matter. Just recharge. Long as it takes.

Love the hounds 'n all x