FURRY FRIENDS: Peanut Butter Paw
By Linda Ostindie
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
The other day I was getting ready for work in the wee hours of the morning. My husband, Jim, and the two dogs -- Reuben and Asher -- were sleeping peacefully.
I decided to make myself an open-faced peanut butter sandwich for breakfast. It's indeed rare that I can sneak into the kitchen without having the boys hot on my heels... but it happened that morning.
I quietly balanced the plate on my lap when our 12-year-old yellow Lab, Reuben, rolled over in his sleep and his meaty back paw landed in my breakfast. His entire paw was coated with peanut butter.
Now, I had a choice to make. Getting up would mean Reuben would probably follow me and there would be peanut butter everywhere. It would probably wake Jim up too and he would not be pleased. My wee hours are wee indeed.
There was nothing I could use to clean it up within reach. Then I noticed Asher's bright little eyes looking at me. Problem solved! Asher loves peanut butter and would be delighted to lick it off Reuben's paw. I patted the bed quietly to show Ash that I wanted him there. I directed his little snout at Reuben's paw and that was the beginning of the end.
As soon as he smelled the peanut butter heaven came down and glory filled his soul. He looked at me as if to say, "I've always loved my brother but someone dipped him in tastiness..." Usually Reuben only leaves him snacks (story for another day) in the back yard.
As soon as tongue touched paw, Reuben woke up. He looked to see what Asher was up to and again the angels sang. There was tastiness upon the bed but Reuben didn't know where. He leaped up to find where it was. Ash still knew and was determined to finish licking the paw.
By this time there were smears of peanut butter on the quilt and Reuben was all over those while Asher continued chasing Reuben's back paw. Needless to say, the dog's antics woke up Jim. It's not every day that you awake with peanut butter smears on your quilt and frolicking dogs on your bed.
He yelled, "What the?" while I was trying to explain the dangers of peanut butter paw. So, yes I did get peanut butter everywhere. Yes, I did wake everyone in the entire bed up. But it seemed so reasonable at the time.
And yes -- I am still a dog pillow!
I am typing this at exactly the same place where the incident occurred. What is different however, is that we no longer have a bed set up. We are sleeping on a box spring and mattress on the floor. Reuben is getting too old to jump up, and more importantly, down. We love him dearly and want him around as long as possible!
Linda lives in Grandville, Michigan. She shares her bed with her husband, Jim, and their two Labs. Reuben is a twelve year old yellow Lab, and Asher is a seven year old chocolate (and gray) Lab.