Sometimes I just need a one day vacation. A moment to catch my breath, to be responsible only for me, to experience the freedom of being rather than doing. Don’t get me wrong…I love and appreciate my animal companions. However, there are those moments when I don’t necessarily want to do what I know needs to be done.

For example, canine companions need exercise and since I don’t have a fenced in yard, it requires walking three or four times a day even on those rare days when I would rather nest in my home or simply return from a day of activity to the comforts of my recliner.

Feline family members need their litter boxes cleaned and everyone needs their homemade meals prepared or the delivery of their snacks. Although I have the desire to engage in a play session at the end of the day, at times I find my energy stores depleted and want only to grab a bite to eat and veg on the couch.

Then there are those days off, especially in the winter months, when I become a hibernating bear. I find myself beneath the blankets on an early morning, cozy and all snuggled up in my bed wanting nothing more than to capture just a few more moments of restful slumber. Then I hear the yawning of my waking canine companion in the other room and the meowing of my feline family members in my ear calling me to wakefulness. My unresponsiveness calls them to take more extreme measures…they become insistent bed walkers inspiring me to rise out of my comfortable cocoon.

“Oh, just 5 more minutes” I beg. My captive audience waits in anticipation. I feel their focused gaze upon me even though the covers are pulled tightly around my head. Ah, Silence. Just as I feel myself start to drift off, a wet nose finds me underneath the layers of blankets, furry paws reach me underneath the canopy, and their harmonized vocalizations and whimpers call me into action.

Deep sigh. I jump out of bed; throw on some clothes, my coat, and a sock cap; fumble with the harness and leash; and finally venture half asleep into the great outdoors not nearly ready to endure the elements and weather conditions (blustery winds and cold temperatures).

As I begrudgingly make my way around the neighborhood with longings of a doggy/kitty door for unassisted access to the screened in porch or to a huge fenced in or enclosed area of land, my senses come alive in response to the cold breezes that brush across my face. I witness the enthusiasm of Renshu, my canine companion. Clothed with only a thin layer of fur, the cold seems to have no effect on his joy to be outside.

As we turn the corner, we encounter a large buck standing in a neighbor’s driveway no more than 12 feet from us. With the sun just coming up along the horizon, the contour of the buck’s form with his impressive 8 point set of antlers is illuminated from behind making him a dark silhouette that commands attention. He looks directly at us, holding his antler adorned head high. For a moment, we all seem captivated by each other, motionless, there is a quiet calm.

My attention is diverted by a bright red cardinal who has flown to a nearby tree. He positions himself on an overhanging branch and seems to announce our approach. Renshu hears the dry brittle leaves crackle and zooms in on the accelerated scurry of a large red squirrel leaping from the ground to the side of a tree. His eyes are wide, his ears perked, and he assumes the characteristic pointer position…tail held high, snout pointing in the squirrel’s direction, ready to pursue.

I take a deep breath and exhale watching the water condensed fog of my breath appear and then dissipate.  I feel the warmth of the rising sun on my face, a nice break from the crisp, brisk air.  I smile and find myself appreciative of my animal family members…their urgings for me to rise and greet a new day of wonder…a new day of life unfolding…all of the things that I would have missed had I remained beneath the covers of my slumber.