So I seem to have set Mom straight on what I expect from her. At 6:55AM sharp, I will start to whimper because I absolutely must pee at exactly 7:00. That gives her five whole minutes to find her coat and boots which I believe is more than enough. She caught on to that part pretty easily, but it was a little harder making her understand that just because it looks like I’m ready to go back in after I pee does not mean I’m done taking care of business — I absolutely must have another five minutes before I’m ready to do my little poop, ten minutes if we got fresh snow during the night because playing in the snow is a significantly higher priority than my little poop. I promise to be very fussy if she doesn’t do it exactly this way.

Now here’s where Mom has gotten pretty smart. She finally learned that if she gives me my big soupy Leonberger breakfast as soon as we get back inside, I’ll eat quietly while she gets another 20-minute nap on the sofa — 30 if I’m feeling gracious. No longer than that though, because I’m ready for another pee and my big poop.

This morning, she executed perfectly so I gave her a treat — enough time to stop by the coffee pot for a cup of Joe and return to the bathroom to secure the roll of toilet paper on the wall shelf before I shredded it. So now she’s finally awake and I’m fat and happy — enough to be a good little puppy until at least lunch time.

Boy, parents are just like kids — if you don’t provide some structure for them, the day just goes downhill.