Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Art of Trading Places


The Art of Trading Places

To the untrained eye it would appear that the big dog was sleeping.  True, he was lying still as stone under the lady’s chair - head resting on paws, eyes closed, breathing slow.  But if one were to look closely one would perhaps notice the occasional flutter of a furry white ear as it moved back and forth on his head, following each utterance of conversation taking place across the dinner table above him.  From what he could gather, The Man was feeling much better and if so, the big dog was conflicted.  Not that he wished The Man to feel anything but perfectly hale and hearty, you understand.  But for the past three days, The Man had been suffering that most frustrating, yet least worrisome, malady of a bad cold and in consideration of The Lady’s health, had been sleeping in another part of the house.  This had created a vacancy in his usual place in the soft four-poster bed, a vacancy that the big white dog had happily, and most comfortably, filled these past three cold and windy nights.  If indeed The Man was feeling well, then this most happy situation was due to change.  The big white dog had to make some plans.

All evening long he watched The Man closely.  No sneezes.  No coughs.  Yes, it appeared he was back to regular form.  The dog thought and thought.  It was not as though he had anything to complain about when it came to his sleeping arrangements.  He had a fat paisley bed of generous proportions that sat at the foot of the chaise lounge.  Everyone knew it was his and his alone and he found it more than sufficient most nights of the year.  He had never been banned from the big four-poster bed either.  Indeed, most winter nights found him fast asleep there with his head resting on The Lady’s feet, a satisfying condition for them both.  But then, he’d never tried sleeping in The Man’s place before - never knew what an immensely agreeable spot it was, resting one’s head on a pillow at the top of the bed, right up next to The Lady, on a January night when the wind howled past the eaves and the temperature dropped down low.  He just wasn’t ready to relinquish this newly discovered comfort.  Not ready at all.

Finally, bedtime approached.  He watched as The Lady picked up the book she was reading, plumped up her pillows, and climbed inside the tall bed.  The big dog hopped up and lay down with a plop at her feet to wait.  The Lady smiled his way.  Fighting sleep, he rubbed his face with his paws.  He waited.  He could hear The Man checking locks, setting out the coffee pot for morning.  Finally, The Lady closed her book and placed it on the table beside her.  She snuggled down and switched off her light.  Just what the big dog had been waiting for.  Slowly, he traveled up the downy hills and valleys of the bed till he reached the top.  Quietly he lay down beside the lady and rolled over on his side.  He closed his eyes tight.  And waited.

Next morning, over breakfast, 
The Big Dog listened to the conversation taking place above him.

“I thought you were feeling better!  Where were you when I woke up?”, said the lady.

The Man sighed.  “Well.......  I was.  I mean, I do.  It was just, well, when I came to bed you looked so comfortable.  Edward was up in my place and you both were sound asleep.  You even had your arm draped over him.  I stood there looking at you both for several minutes and realized I just couldn’t wake you up.  So I slept in the other room.”

“Honestly!”, said The Lady, laughing.

 And The Big Dog smiled.

32 comments:

  1. I love stories about Edward... we have a Briard who loves to sleep on the bed with us... we got a king size bed just so there is enough room for him to fit between us! Your hubbie is a good sport. ;0)

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  2. Ah, the wily ways of our best friends . . .

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  3. Hello Pamela

    Your story made us smile. We have our own shadow of Edward living here. I am confident they understand our entire conversation over dinner.
    The Songwriter is most kind

    Helen xx

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  4. Oh i love this! He didn't have the heart to shoo Edward away. Edward is one loved and beautiful boy. :) And very loving too. He waited patiently to make his move.. he did!

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  5. You need a bigger bed--a bed for three.

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  6. Ahh Edward, you crafty not-so-little dickens! :)

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  7. Your husband should get an award for husband of the year. How thoughtful and sweet. My two little winkies tunnel down under the covers and cuddle up with me at night. I do not think I could sleep without them.

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  8. Hello Pamela:
    This so evokes the behaviour of Edward that we can so readily visualise and appreciate the whole situation. He is the most fortunate of dogs, but we suspect that he knows that!!

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  9. Hello Pamela,
    I love this. It is so beautifully descriptive and sweet. What a lucky, loved dog Edward is.

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  10. Oh, lucky Edward ......the God's were smiling on him when he came to live with you both !! XXXX

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  11. How very sweet and loving this is. You make me miss Pup but with a smile.
    besitos, C

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  12. Pamela, a lovely story. I can almost picture your sweet Edward thinking these thoughts. Happy to hear that your precious Songwriter is feeling better.
    Have a wonderful day, Elizabeth

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  13. Yes, I jolly well bet he did smile - he's not daft that Edward!

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  14. This warmed my heart nearly as much as the soft pillow must have warmed beautiful Edward's muzzle. Alas, I could never let my Ben, our Golden, up on the bed as he would not be content to stay in one place but spread out until he was the only one in it!
    With Best Wishes from Provence,
    Heather

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  15. Wily Edward!! I would say The Man should stake his claim earlier in the evening.

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  16. Brought such a beautiful, warm smile to my heart. Thank you!

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  17. Pamela,
    Such a sweet story, the perfect verse to cause me to be smiling at the computer as I imagined the scene. Best the "the Man" and I hope you don't catch his cold.
    Karen

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  18. Ah Edward - such a wise and clever fellow. Your story has brought a smile to my face. And what of dear Apple? Did she follow her songwriter elsewhere and keep him company with his cold?

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  19. Such a warming story. I smiled at every word. We have our own Zachary who has similar antics to get closer and closer in the bed.

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  20. That Edward knows a thing or two about love. It was so sweet to read this, this morning.
    By the way, I'm all done reading your book! LOVE every single word of it. All magic!

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  21. That Edward is a smart Doggie. I miss putting my arms around my Dog/Thor.
    Renee and I watch TV in Bed with her tiny dog, who snores..
    That Hubby of yours sound divine,
    locking doors and setting up the coffee pot.
    Nice writing.
    yvonne

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  22. Bless the Songwriter's heart! By coincidence, my own hubby and I are fighting nasty colds and are sleeping separately so as not to awaken each other with fits of coughing. Not having the real Edward to snuggle next to, I'll settle for a cup of hot ginger tea and your book of essays with Edward's picture on the cover!

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  23. Hello .
    I don't know if my other comment came through blogger can be a bugger at times . I found you via The Weaver Of Grass blog . Your blog is lovely and am a new follower . Edward is a handsome boy . Looks very much like our Miggs . I am looking forward to your future posts . Have a good evening !

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  24. Dare I say it's a dog's life...:)) for that gorgeous Edward... xv

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  25. Oh, this is so wonderful Pamela. I so understand the situation.

    xoxo

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  26. oh edward. you beautiful boy!
    a perfect picture with a perfect tail. i mean tale.
    and dare i think that little apple could help keep the songwriter cosy and warm wherever he sleeps during this "cold?"
    apple needs a sleeping partner too!
    XO
    tammy j

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  27. Hahaha, oh Edward, you wise and wonderful dog! Has he relinquished his spot yet? My cats (both curled together sleeping by my feet) like nothing better than at night to be tucked beside me with my arm around each of them - which means I am awake! So we have to have a compromise... although I am fairly soppy. They usually win.

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  28. Crafty Edward! He's a good dog to get you laughing again. I have a letter from my aunt that will put a smile on your face:

    "Thank you very much for the book. I gather from the fact it is autographed that this is one of your friends. She writes beautifully and I love her drawings. I am very much enjoying the book. Please let your friend know."

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  29. Another gorgeous tale that melts my heart! Just how many big softies live within the walls of The House of Edward!?

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  30. tears in my eyes.thats how it is.
    i lived with two dogs that way. july dark brown and janny light grey like my own hair colour.
    thank you for your heartmelting blog

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  31. What a lovely doggy tale. I'm from the UK and I've only just found you both so am looking forward to reading your blogs about life at The House of Edward X

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!