May 29, 2010

White Dog just shakes her head sometimes when she thinks about how much our family dynamic has changed over the past four months. The big things (like Michael coming to live with us) are a given, but she says the little adjustments to our daily routine are the amazing ones.

For example, she points out that since our weather has gotten warm that The Other White Dog has taken to napping on the very shady "sun porch" lying with his back firmly pressed against the entry door to the house. Before no one ever thought about how they came in; they simply opened the door and walked through. Now we've been conditioned to open the door slightly and slowly to see if there is pressure from the napping Quinn on the other side.

If he is there, the process of gaining access becomes elaborate. If Quinn is just resting, a simple "hi Quinn" is enough to get him on his feet and in tail wagging position. If TOWD is napping, then you must cajole and beg for him to wake up and move...and it helps if you can snake a hand in the crack of the door opening to pet him as he awakens.

A soundly sleeping Quinn requires one to lift the mail slot cover in the door (which squeaks) and increase the volume of your begging until you are at a level you would use for a kindly deaf aunt. At that he begins to stir but there is a danger he may just shift and go back to sleep. So you must open and slam closed the slot cover several times (with it creaking away) so that White Dog, wherever she is, comes running and barking like a lunatic because she thinks the mailman is here. When she careens onto the porch and sees that her brother is blocking the entry of possible intruders, White Dog goes into hyper drive barking. This noise generally wakes Quinn who looks around groggily as he struggles to his feet trying to appear as though he knows what is going on.

Then all one has to do is wade through the army of white that is demanding recognition for their brave deeds and doing a welcome home dance...and you are in!