a place in the sun

i'm in my morning spot and sierradog is out on the little balcony next to my desk.  he has an old dogbed out there which started as a measure to keep him off the futon/couch in the office but it's become a morning ritual for us these last few weeks--he enjoys the sun and i enjoy the writing companion.

but we've been having trouble keeping sierradog off the couch--in his old dog age not only is he getting more stubborn but demanding less dog-ish accommodations and more princely places to rest . . so lately we've taken to leaving a flattened cardboard box on the cushions when we leave the house and at night (sometime around 2 am he sneaks downstairs and cozies up until he pokes michael out of bed at quarter to 6 for his morning walk).  owen has eagerly joined the crusade: "NO! sierradog THIS [pointing to sdog's new ortho dog bed fluffed up with a velour blanket] is YOUR couch!)" and has enjoying policing someone besides himself (i  know i know he needs a younger brother).

so yesterday we went out for some errands and decided to stop for lunch before heading home.  right when we were getting to leave owen said smiling : "oh, mom, dad, don't worry.  sierra is NOT on the couch.  i locked him on the patio so he can just stay on his bed outside!". my little problem solver. . .

(at that point michael said "oh YOU locked him in there?" and he had, indeed, been let back inside before we left...)