Adventures of Beau at Grandma Camp

My weekend with my grandson:

Nikko is barking at something, not a frenzied barking like she really sees something, but the barking that lets me know that she suspects something. She’s heard a sound? Saw a shadow? This is normal behavior for her. She is quick to pick out any glitch in the pattern of her surroundings, she is very alert. Beau joins in. This is comical, and chuckling, I tell Beau from the other room, “Beau. You don’t even know what you are barking at. If Nikko jumped off a bridge, would you do the same?”

Sleep wasn’t for me last night. It didn’t take long for the three dogs to settle down, surprisingly, and thanks to Paul who graciously gave up his space in the bed and slept downstairs. Nikko and Rocko have the settling in for the night routine down pat. It’s always tricky when we throw Beau in the mix. Rocko sits guard, his muscles rigid, his eyes bulging as he determines the boundaries here. Nikko sits hangdog at the foot of the bed, watching for an opportunity to burrow under the comforter. Her chosen spot is down at the bottom of the bed, under the covers. La dee da Beau doesn’t even acknowledge the other two, no tension, no worries about not getting his preferred spot. He just plunks down on my chest to snuggle, making Rocko shake with rage. This has actually taken longer to write than the few minutes it took to get settled. Rocko calmed down and curled up by me, and we were all happy. I read a bit, then closed my eyes and dozed.

Two seconds later (I swear), I was awakened by whining, whimpering and the bed being jostled. There was Beau, looking up at me and begging for help to get back on the bed. Carefully reaching down, trying not to disturb the other two, I pulled Beau back up. Ooops, Rocko is pissed. We shuffle and gain our places once again. Back to sleep. Two seconds later (I swear), I was awakened by whining, whimpering and the bed being jostled. There was Beau, looking up at me and begging for help to get back on the bed. Carefully reaching down, trying not to disturb the other two, I pulled Beau back up. Ooops, Rocko is pissed. We shuffle and gain our places once again. Back to sleep. Two seconds later (I swear), I was……

At about 3AM, my cell phone alerted me with persistent beeps that the battery was low. Oh what cruel technological advances… At about 4:30AM I got up. Plugged my phone in to charge it, heated up a cup of coffee in the microwave and stepped out with my three pups and a cat. Sleep is over rated.

I don’t know why our cat, El Nino, tolerates Nikko and Rocko, but he does. He keeps his displeasure for their presence pretty low key. But the existence of Beau in his world is a an insult, an injury, I tell ya. Beau was out hunting for treats under the birch tree when El Nino noticed him while walking by. El Nino stopped, sat and watched him for a minute, then scrunched down. Then started a forward progress, while remaining scrunched, and then yowled, “Fuckin’ A!” (I swear), speeding by me to the back door. He doesn’t move that fast too often. I haven’t seen too much of him this morning. The funny thing is that Beau doesn't even acknowledge that El Nino exists, and never looked up as El Nino did his S.W.A.T act. What was that about?

I have to say, Beau is just Beau. He has never done anything intentional to cause discontent or harm. He is truly a nice little dog. Does not the world belong to him? Does he not own this bowl of catfood? Was it not put there for him? And by the way, thanks guys, for putting that thing in the garbage…it smells awesome, here, I’ll just get it by myself, no, I don’t need help, thanks….Hey, I’ve been waiting all day for some kitty snickers, don’t scoop it…you guys are the best, I’m going to plop down right on your lap/shoulder/face for you, isn’t this fun?

I love Beau, as I glance at him, curled up, snoring, sleeping, dreaming. You go, little guy, get some rest.

Beau and Rocko, sweet dreams............

Peace (yawn)