It’s been a rough two weeks without Lacey.
I’ve been watching the house and yard the best I can, but it’s not as fun as it used to be.
I was caught under the house again. Lacey used to cover for me, and I’d be back out before they noticed. But not anymore.
I haven’t slept much. I have to run sentry through the whole house at night now. Lacey always took the kitchen, dining room and back hall.
Don’t even get me started with the day duty.
I check constantly to see if they’re pulling into the driveway yet. I don’t want them thinking I’m sleeping on the job. And they need to know someone’s still around to love them. I used to sleep right up until the door creaked and make a big deal out of getting up for them.
I have to cuddle with the humans a lot. They say her name frequently and tell me how great I am. They’re not handling losing Lacey well.
And the grooming! I think I got brushed twice this week.
I haven’t figured out how she got lost yet.
We’ve one less bed in the house. They took it out when Lacey got real quiet sleeping there.
But we still have Lacey’s favorite bed. I sleep in it a lot. It smells like her. It’s not as comfortable as my princess pea bed (two beds atop each other. Another story for another time. It’s my favorite, but not right now).
I used to nap on Lacey’s bed, but only just to rile her and only for a minute or two. Soon as I got off, she got on. Made me grin. I don’t grin much any more.
We have a ramp down the back stairs now. It went in for Lacey because she was having trouble going up and down the stairs her last week. They want me to use it, but I’ve been getting these treats, and I think they’ve helped my hips a lot. I don’t need that dumb ramp. I use it when they ask me though since they went to all that trouble, and Lacey didn’t use it for very long.
I miss Lacey. She was goofy. Never watched where she was swinging that thick tail of hers. Worried about everything, I mean everything. The list is miles long, I tell you.
But outside, she made sure everything was safe, and I could just sniff around. I have to watch every corner now.
We had three kittens hanging out in the backyard for a few days. Lacey would have dealt with them in a minute: no visiting kittens. Me, it takes me three days to send them packing. I’m such a softy.
I like weekends the best because the humans stay home, and I can hang out with them. I try to catch up on my sleep.
Sometimes I curl up at the bottom of the stairs at night. It’s not comfortable or close to the heater, but I can hear them upstairs sleeping. That helps. Also, I see both sides of the house from there.
It’s weird not having to bark when they ask Lacey questions. “You want water?” She’d stare intently. “Ready for dinner?” She’d bounce. “Outside?” Prancing feet.
Me. “You want water?” Bark! (damn straight! [I put my nose in the bone-dry bowl just to make sure they get the message.]) “Ready for dinner?” Bark! (No, I’m standing by this empty bowl for my health.) “Outside?” Bark! Bark! (We’re going to burst if you wait even one more second. Open the door!)
I don’t have to wait for anything now. Everything is done just when I need it. Kinda strange, but thoughtful, too.
Just me and the humans. I love ’em. But it was better with Lacey here.
