Even when Cassius was just a puppy, he was a “jobsite dog”.  He’d get up from his bed (or more likely hop off the couch) as soon as he heard Alex waking up – turning off the alarm (a few times), in the shower, making the coffee.  Cassius would get himself equally prepared for the day by shaking and flapping his ears a few times; with a yawn, a stretch and then a morning poop.  They would head out before the sun made it into our yard and before I had even considered opening my eyes.

In the last couple of years Cassius has a different routine.  He has become what Alex dubs a “momma’s boy” and like me, prefers to sleep in when he can.  He doesn’t stir or dare to lift his head when Alex gets ready in the morning and only after the truck engine has turned does he slowly get up just to jump into my bed and position himself for a good spooning.  One morning Alex had forgotten something in the house and was horrified (as were we) to walk into the room- only minutes after leaving- to find us there, snuggled and prepared to return to our sweet slumber.

This morning Cassius didn’t even wait to hop into the sack with me, and when Alex asked in an excited voice, “Who wants to go to work?” Cassius just burrowed his nose deeper into the pillows.

“This is bullshit,” Alex said, “Who wants to go swimming?!”

And with that the dog lept into the air and was out the door faster than I could say, “Don’t forget your lunch.”