Another month of this. But not complaining.

Well I went to the doctor yesterday for a progress evaluation on my leg. Alas, he saw his shadow so I've got another month to sit around idly.

But at least I've got these two for company.

And they've bonded pretty well over the last month in particular. They're seldom apart now, and where one goes, the other follows. In the morning, they both go outside together, then when I let them back in, it's a stampede as both race into the kitchen to get the food that I've put in their dishes. There's no fighting in there--each knows his or her dish.

After breakfast, there's usually some tussling in the living room as both of them playfully push each other around and spar over a toy or two. Sometimes there's chasing through the house, complete with sliding on loose floor rugs and knocking things over that I'd rather not see knocked over, but hey--they're having fun. Eventually they tire and they lay down next to each other on the floor rug, one on the dog bed and the other next to it. Possession of the bed goes to whoever gets to it first and if the possessor leaves it, it's fair game for the other one.

When the stove's lit, Murphy camps in front of it. Belle for some reason doesn't like the stove. She does like me though, and she's constantly running up to lick my face, particularly when I'm lying on the couch trying to watch TV or nap. When Belle first got here, she was so jealous of any attention that I gave Murphy that she'd run in and shoulder him aside (and she can shoulder check like a Russian hockey player) but that's subsided finally. She knows that if I'm petting or playing with him, I'll make room and time for her too. She just has to sit nicely and wait.

Murphy's still the big barker and protector though. He's the no-nonsense watchdog that I trust to keep this place safe. As for Belle...well she just watches. She's starting to come around and focus on things that tee Murphy off in the yard or down on the road, but she's not there yet. She does cry loudly when I leave the house though. She can't stand to see me go. But Murphy was bad for that once too, He got over it and I'm sure that she will.

Come bed time, when I start to turn out the lights, both dogs line up at the back door for one last run outside. Then they come in together and both go right into the bedroom and take to their respective beds.

She'll stay there all night, sleeping near me, but Murphy will get up from time to time and patrol the house throughout the night. Always vigilant, that one.

I couldn't ask for a better pair, and they're definitely making this enforced downtime a lot more enjoyable.