What was that???

Robert’s current job requires him to occasionally travel for work. (Occasionally is much better than at least 50% of the time which is what he did formally.) Robert circled the world – literally – in the last two weeks. He zipped off of Norway (heading east) and then zipped off to Singapore (still heading east) and will be home in a few hours (finishing the last leg by going east). It will be a slow, relaxing weekend as now that we are middle aged (see header description), jet lag recovery time is MUCH longer now than several years ago.

Regardless, while he is gone, things are different at our house. Normally something significant happens/breaks/dies in or around the property. Luckily, the only significant things this time were taking Squirt’s Limo back to the dealer so they could snap on the luggage rack bracket they lost during the repair work and getting the taxes mailed before the mad rush to the post office. Squirt gets tons of attention (mostly waking him up from naps) because I don’t have anyone else to bother. Sometimes, there is a noticeable rise in phone calls during these weeks.

One thing I can count on every time Robert leaves for an overnight trip is:

(Drum roll…tension building…)

SQUIRT the WONDER GUARD DOG appears!

Translation: When I am home alone, for every noise, 24 hours a day, Squirt barks, growls and runs to the door/window.

This is actually a pretty interesting phenomenon. When Robert is home, Squirt hears very little and rarely barks at night but when he is gone, Squirt gets feisty.

Our Anchorage house is different from every other house I have lived in. It is quiet. There is no popping (settling), no traffic noise, no forced air heat, no ceiling fans, no air conditioner, normally minimal to no wind, and no tree limbs hitting the house, etc. etc. Totally quiet except for the periodic airplane flying overhead. I really like this for the most part. The only trying time is at night when attempting to sleep and Squirt the wonder guard dog is present.

I now know exactly what time the paper delivery person pulls in the driveway to toss the paper near the door. (Bark) When the late or early joggers run by (Bark, Bark). When a car drives by the house too slowly for Squirt’s taste (Growl, Bark). And the gravest invasion of all, when there is a temporary paper delivery person and they WALK up the steps and toss the paper on the front porch. (WOOF, WOOF, RUN DOWNSTAIRS and BARK BARK BARK at the front door). Of course the irony of this is I have to tell him he is a good boy for protecting me and to go back to bed. Someday there may really be a threat (bear on the porch, etc.) and if he scares the threat off, he has done his job rather well. I am good with the fact he practices his job with such diligence. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Then there are some nights he is so worn out from all of the previous days and nights of guarding, he doesn’t hear a thing. Those are the nights I hear something and think – well – Squirt isn’t up – must not be anything to worry about. And, of course, I think he naps all day to make up for the hard night patrol.

I like to call him on such days and let him know I miss him after an especially active guarding night.