Waggling...

Communication is an ever evolving practice.  This, this is what I have learned in my now five years of life.  Effective communication with your puppy parents means constantly working at learning the cues they use to communication.  Because, you see, communication is not merely just words.

Myrtle has started waggling her fingers at me.  It took me a rather long time to realize that whenever she started to waggle, she was starting to communicate.  When she moves her fingers up and down, fluttering or as if playing the piano, this means that Myrtle wants my attention.  When she moves her hands from side to side, often bent at the wrist toward her body, this means that Myrtle wants my presence NOW!

I am such a good comfort puppy dog that my presence can calm Myrtle's deepest fears ... just a bit ... and ease her most wretched illness ... just a bit.  She wants me near her, nearer than I am at that particular moment when the waggling begins, because she needs me.

It is rather nice to be needed.

Much of the waggling has taken place in our bed at night.  This is because, for the past couple of weeks, at least, Myrtle has had to sleep on her right side.  She had a pacemaker put into her chest and she cannot sleep as she normally does.  The change and the pain Myrtle feels bothers her and so, in order to fall asleep, she wants me to tuck myself up against her side, head on her shoulder, so that she can then curl her body around me.  I don't mind.

Well, mostly I don't mind.  Mostly because Myrtle will waggle her fingers at me beneath the covers ... impatiently waiting to gain my attention from my sleep.  Yes, I am already asleep when Myrtle has the need for my greater presence.

We get into bed.  I frolic with the pillows.  Myrtle yells at me and tosses my chew bone at me.  I grab the bone and climb up on her torso for a chaw.  I finish and crawl beneath the covers to find some warmth.

Myrtle sleeps with her windows open.
The bedroom is often in the 40s.
One morning we even had snow inside.

Waggle.  Waggle.  WAGGLE.  Fingers and hand in furious motion, increasing in intensity the longer it takes for me to wake.  Why Myrtle doesn't just call my name to wake me is a mystery.  But I have learned that much about communication is mysterious.  A continual learning curve.

Of course, I have taken to my own form of waggling.  Trying to sit up more, Myrtle is spending lots of time on the couch.  I am not all that content to merely sit beside her.  No!  I want to be in my puppy momma's lap.  So, I waggle my paw at her and at the blanket in her lap until she makes room for me.

Interpreting the waggle.
An important combination skill.

This is my life with Myrtle.  Amos Adams signing off!