Our daily routine - buckets of rain

Here is how we start the day on Ouray Avenue.

Phil wakes up in his puppy like way, making little noises that sound like a mix between a sigh and a whimper. He is very long when he is all stretched out and he likes to roll onto his back and wriggle a bit before sitting upright. Usually in the mornings, he is on "his" bed, which he shares with Cowgirl, because everything in the house is shared with Cowgirl. She doles out the dog privileges. (I am working on being a better alpha presence, but Cowgirl is a tough one and she still does everything I ask of her.)

Phil and I get up and go to the kitchen. We make coffee and throw the Kong or the monkey around a bit.
Then it's time for a walk, which we try to do before Cowgirl wakes up.
We walk for about half an hour, then it's time for breakfast.

I'm telling you all of this because this morning, the routine was usurped by rain. Welcome, cooling, wet and slippery, rain, so much of it, that walking seems overwrought. Instead, we will sit and watch the rain fall until it's time for me to get ready for work.

The air smells fresh and sweet, result of a propitious blend of mint, basil and olive trees out in the yard and all through the neighborhood.

The question of the day is whether Phil should go with me to class in two weekends, or go to a Denver area doggie day care. If he goes to class, he does have to settle down and behave for about 8 hours. That's a lot to ask for a 7 month old puppy, even if he's brilliant and beautiful.