trusty companion. (85)

It’s been a long few days around here, but after Wednesday’s events, Jason’s being sick until this morning and my getting sick last night, one thing is certain–Kruger is a trusty and concerned companion for the journey. Even as I write this, he is at my feet by the couch and waiting for me to head to bed in a short bit. Normally, he puts himself to bed between 9 and 10pm each night; he gives us one last look and then heads upstairs to call it a day. But when we’re sick? Wandering around the house with a glazed over look and napping more than usual? Kruger checks in every so often to make sure everything’s kosher. I’m convinced he’s even less needy when we’re under the weather.

What is it about a dog’s uncanny sense that something is out of sorts, I wonder? I’m convinced that Kruger has known for a long time that “mom’s pregnant,” with his ever increasing attentiveness to me and his determination to follow me wherever I go. He models our behavior and mood, glancing over with a gloomy look on his face as if to say, “I hope this passes soon, Mom. This makes me uneasy. Are you ok?”

Some people are dog people, others prefer cats, and some, absolutely no animal at all. I know I gripe sometimes about our frequent need for a vacuum around here, or the fact that Kruger just tracked snow all over a clean kitchen floor, but really…the upkeep factor seems a small price to pay for a dog who certainly “has our backs,” so-to-speak.

Tomorrow, when I’m feeling better (I hope) and things are bit more back to normal around here, I can guarantee that Kruger will be back to his usual self as well. His tail will come wagging on my side of the bed in the morning, the familiar thump-thump-thump waking me from a comfortable sleep or saving me from getting up too late. He’ll string us along as can be expected, come running when he hears the sound of the ice maker and look longingly at the back door when he’d like to play in the snow. I love the “little” guy (who happens to turn two on Monday:).

We’re looking forward to introducing him to the baby in a few more months, and we know that he’ll be just as trusty a companion then as he’s ever been.