What Happened to Sunday?

I always know the days of the week. Mommy helps us keep track of them. It starts at 5 AM on Mondays. LuLu is the first one up and she wakes up hungry. She starts barking and when Mommy doesn't budge, LuLu pokes Mommy's arm over and over until Mommy gets up.

"Uch!" Mommy says. "LuLu, are you serious? You really want me to get up this early on Monday morning?" That is when we find out it is Monday. The same thing happens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Then comes Friday. Mommy doesn't grumble and growl on Fridays. As soon as LuLu barks, Mommy jumps right up and goes in the kitchen to get our breakfast. She is smiling and happy and she sings while she gets ready for work.

"Today is Fridays, my darlings. I get off work early, so I will be home early and I will be home the next two days. Do you know why?" Of course, after all these years we know why. We just can't answer Mommy's question because we can't talk! She always forgets that. And so she answers her own question. I will be home the next two days because it's the weekend. I don't work on Saturdays and Sundays. Isn't that great! I will be home with you for two whole days."

Mommy is so happy and so are we, even though on Saturdays Mommy doesn't spend time playing with us. Oh, she takes us on our potty walks, but that's about all. She stretches out on the sofa and sleeps -- for hours. Then she gets up and eats and goes right back to sleep -- for hours again. She sleeps and eats the day away. I am surprised she doesn't eat while she's sleeping. Oh well, at least we aren't home alone.

After Saturday comes Sunday -- my favorite day. Mommy takes me out -- just me. I get to go with Mommy and LuLu and Izzy get to stay home. Mommy says I am the only one who knows how to behave so I am the only one who gets to go with her. I am so proud of myself every time Mommy says that. We usually go to the Home to visit my friends. I wait for Sunday to come all week.

This week was no different. I try to wait fast to make the days go by faster, but it doesn't work. When it was finally 5 AM on Sunday, LuLu was still asleep. I poked her in the arm and whispered, "Lulu, it is 5 AM. Aren't you hungry? Go get Mommy." For some reason, Mommy will only get up for LuLu. LuLu did it and we got breakfast. Now all I had to do was wait for Mommy to shower and get dressed and then we could go.

I waited and waited and waited some more. Mommy stayed on that sofa and didn't move. I sat by the door and cried. "Mommy," I said in Dog Language. "What are you doing? I know today is Sunday. Get up, Mommy. Please. I really want to go by-by in the car with you." She can't speak Dog Language, but she does understand.

"Oh, Ethel Frances, you sweet, smart dog. You know today is Sunday. I am sorry but I just can't go out today because I don't feel good. I think I just have to stay home today and rest. I hope you know what I am saying. We will have to wait until next week. OK, baby?"

Wow! I already waited a whole week and now I have to wait another week. I was not happy. I was also not happy that Mommy felt bad. Since I can't talk with words, I told Mommy I understood her the best I could. I ran over to her, wagging my tail, and gave her a big, wet kiss. She gave me a big hug and said, "Thank you for understanding, Ethel Frances. I love you."