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Saturday, January 22, 2011

There's Only Room For One In This Sick Bay

This week has been a tough one for me.  What I'd hoped was just a touch of respiratory flu proved to be a tough case of bronchitis that kept me home from work all week.  I spent quite a bit of time curled up in bed, which Nurse Bunny heartily approves of.  However, in the interest of getting a good night's sleep, I also tried to get myself up and out of bed for part of the day. 

If you're a regular reader of the blog, then you know that I'm not the only one recovering here at our house.  Last week Blueberry broke her toe and is now sporting a rather large splint.  In the beginning of her convalescence, I was feeling pretty bad for her.  However, since she's learned to get around in her splint and the pain has dulled, she's been getting around quite well.

Apparently, she thinks that she has a claim on the couch right now.  I disagree and feel that I need the couch just as much, if not more, than she does.  It's not that I'm not willing to share.  As a matter of fact, two dogs AND a person can fit on our couch.   Provided the dogs and human are cooperative, that is.

I have noticed that Blueberry has been a lot clingier lately.  I attribute it to her not being able to go with us as much as she and we would like.  I also think that she's finally reached a point in her life where maybe she likes more physical comfort than she did when she was younger.  She's always preferred to have her own space to sleep, sometimes even sleeping in the living room while the rest of us are asleep in the bedroom.  I don't blame her -- I like to have my own space to sleep, too.  Still, it seems like she's taken it to new heights this week.

A lot of times, if Blue wants to be on the couch with me, she'll climb up and then stretch out so that none of the other dogs can find space up there.  I can't imagine how I ever found that this was cute.  You may be shaking your head and saying something to yourself about how sweet that is that she wants her time with me and how crazy I am to say that it's anything different.  Well, here's where the problem begins.  Blueberry doesn't think that she should have to share the couch.
I come out in the morning and ask her to move over.  She give me a look from the corner of her eye and then feigns sleep.  A second request from  me results in a snort, which she attempts to disguise as a sneeze.  Finally, she moves over infintessimally and I wedge myself into the corner, muttering about how she's lucky I'm sick and she's injured.  This results in a huff from Her Royal Hineyness followed by her standing up, stretching herself halfway on the floor and half on the couch before she hobbles off, ka thunk, ka thunk, ka thunk, tapping the floor extra hard with her splint as she stalks off to the crate to sulk.  I'm not sure if dogs feel guilt, but they certainly know how to use it against us.

She doesn't stay in the crate for long, though.  Oh no!  Soon, she's back, sniffing me and letting me know I'm forgiven for disturbing her before she will hop back up on the other end of the couch.  The next thing I know, she's stretched out on two cushions, her head leaning against my foot or leg.  I continue to read, or perhaps I'm looking at something on the computer, or watching a little television.  Soon, I begin to notice something.  Darned if this couch isn't shrinking!  Soon, Blueberry is so close to me that I've lost feeling in the entire lower half of my body.  I try to push her over, but I might as well be trying to control the flow of lava.   I get up and limp to the kitchen to rattle the treat jar.  Three dogs appear for treats while Blueberry sits up on the sofa, her ears perked in anticipation of the treat I'll bring back to her.  That didn't go as planned. 

I look at Bunny.  She's laying on the dog bed on the floor, avoiding what she imagines will be another Clash of the Titans.  No doubt she feels that if we take each other out, the couch will be all hers.  Morgan finds a reason to go on patrol.  Lilac yawns and closes her eyes, not willing to interrupt her nap for our silliness.  Finally, I sigh and realize the inevitable.  I am just going back to bed.  At least it's big enough for several of us to share if we all decide to head in there.  I'll fight the Battle of the Couch later.  Sleeping in bed with Bunny and Morgan suddenly seems like a much better idea, anyway.  I guess this way, we're all winners!

We're participating in this Saturday's Pet Blog Hop, hosting by Life With Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume.  If you'd like to participate, please follow the rules and follow your three hosts, add your blog to the Linky and copy and paste the html code into your html editor.  Thanks again to our hosts for putting on the hop!


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53 comments:

  1. Now I understand why Blue is laughing on the last picture!
    I hope you are well soon.

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  2. I sure hope both of you are back to yourselves soon. What a sucky way to spend your week.

    Fighting for sleeping space seems to be a theme this week, no? :)

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  3. Hope you're both better soon.

    Abby is a bed hog, the way Blue is a sofa hog. It's amazing how a 65 lb mid-sized dog can nab the center of the bed and spread out until she fills the entire thing, except for about 6" all around the edges. That's the part she leaves for mama. Your mom is, however, much nicer than mama, who boots Abby out of bed by force majeur when she gets greedy.

    Jed & Abby

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  4. Oh do I know that feeling all too well. Which is why I have my own rocking Lazy Boy that the dogs stay miles away from. They don't like the rocking. The only one who joins me there is my obnoxious cat and he's easy to push off.

    Love the picture of Blueberry in the first picture! How many times have I seen that!!

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  5. What great photos of a greyhound in her natural habitat !

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  6. Now we know who the QUEEN is on the couch!
    Look how contented and happy she is there.
    I hope two of you have a speedy recovery so there is no more couch fighting at home : )

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  7. I hope Blueberry and you feel better. Hopefully you will be back to yourself next week. And may you find room on the couch soon!

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  8. I just love the last photo:)

    I should think yourself lucky if the meerest hint of a bum cheek get's onto the sofa with four dogs int he house:) LOL

    Hope you feel much better soon.

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  9. What a fabulous last picture of Blue. What a girl!

    Hope you are all better really soon

    Love and licks Winnie

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  10. Sorry you both are under the weather. Please get well soon!
    We do the couch thing every night. Since being away on a business trip with no doggies/kitties in the bed, I actually slept through the night! But sure missed the furry ones!

    Drools and licks,
    Minnie and Mack

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  11. AWWWWWEEE.... I could NOT kick her off that couch. YOU MEANIE! ;)

    So sorry you're sickie. hope you feel better soon. at least you have ONE workin' dog... oh wait, she's in BED with you. those Grey's are giving her bad habits! LOL.

    feel better soon!

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  12. "I'm not sure if dogs feel guilt, but they certainly know how to use it against us."

    Yup! I so agree!

    Bronchitis is no fun! Feel better to you and the limping one. :)

    Janet

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  13. BOL at Blueberry assuming her position on da Sofa!!

    It might be easier to just go ahead and buy a new sofa fur everybuddy else to use! BOL!!!

    .......hope you are feeling betters!!

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  14. I love the story. I guess it's Blueberry's couch! I also noticed that she even has pajamas that appear to be soft flannel. Your greyhounds are a pampered bunch! Does Morgan have pajamas for around the house? Hmmm, I guess that might ruin her image when confronting the invader who she's sure is about to arrive...

    I hope that you start to feel better soon. I'm glad that Nurse Bunny is caring for you.

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  15. Heeeheee! I am very small but I do the same thing to mommy.

    Licks,
    Ruthie

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  16. Those poses are positively priceless. I love Greyhounds to death. Keep em safe and get better soon

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  17. I am sending healing and get well vibes.
    VIBES>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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  18. The hu-dad has a spot on the couch that is his. The second he gets up to do anything, one of us tries to claim that spot.

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  19. Hopefully you'll all be feeling better soon and can enjoy some outdoor adventures. I wish you all were coming to GIG too. I've never been before, but it appears to be about a 4 hour drive for me. Not too bad. I see Midwest Greyhounds on the vendor list. Maybe I'll score one of those pillow beds like you have. :)

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  20. Sorry it has been a rough week, but glad nurse Bunny is there to help. I think Blueberry may be part cat (not sure she will like this) because she sounds a lot like my feline siblings and their turf wars over the couch.

    Your pal, Pip

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  21. We're sorry to hear you guys aren't feeling well. But it makes for some great posts. Is that terrible of us?

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  22. We know about couch hogs. As little as I am, I can take up 2/3 of ours, but I leave a little room for Mom.

    Being sick is no fun--we hope you are feeling better! Bunny is a good nurse, though.

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  23. Hope you are all back to 100% soon...not that it'll stop the battle of the couch, but at least you'll have the energy to give it a run!! ;-)
    Kelly & Crew
    angelpupscreations.blogspot.com

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  24. Haha - we'll have to go check if she's even entered, BUT we have a feeling Blue would win Doggy Diva over at MangoMinster without ever having to get off the COUCH!!!

    The Road Dogs

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  25. Your couch battle sounds very very familiar. :-) I hope your feeling better.

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  26. You just need more sofas or one giant sofa...BOL.

    Wyatt

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  27. Oh, we forgot to with Blue a "belated" HAPPY BIRTHDAY! That cake looked amazing!

    The Road Dogs

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  28. We battle over many things in our house, but thankfully the couch is not one of them!-well most of the time:)
    I hope you are feeling better soon!

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  29. Get well soon! It's too cold to be out and about anyway, if that can be of any consolation to you.

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  30. Wow, I'm sending all of my bestest healing thoughts to you now. I hope the flu goes away and that Blueberry's toe heals quickly. Take extra good care of each other and know we are all thinking of you!
    Grr and a Concerned Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  31. Does it get any better than this?! Let's face it....the guy who invented couches had dogs to appease!

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  32. Ah yes, I am well acquainted with Blueberry's moves. Lancer is the master of what I call "getting up in my grill". I sit down on the couch to do a few hours of law school reading and Lancer jumps up and circles into a comfy position with his head beside me. A few minutes later a nose sneaks up onto my leg. Minutes pass and a little head wiggles up. Then the long neck squirms onto my lap. Then, since his head is now covering the entirety of my law school text, I move over. Lancer, sensing the deficit in body surface contact, moves over accordingly. That repeats several times until I have no more couch left to move over onto. Over the next several minutes Lancer manages to drape his entire upper body over me. I, growing more frustrated by the second, finally pull myself out from under Lancer and go for the dog treats. Lancer is momentarily wooed off the couch and within a few minutes the cycle repeats. I hope for your sake Blueberry passes this phase soon....

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  33. Oh those poses are something else Ms. Diva
    Benny & Lily
    Hope you feel better lady

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  34. I hope youw Bwonchy Itis has gone away and i'm glad to heaw that miss Diva Bewwy's ankle is on the mend..(did she entew Mango Minstew in that categowy?)
    We only have a queen sized bed and when my baby bwuffew Duffy, comes fow a sleepovew Mommi, daddi and the two of us bawely fit..I move the instant someone askes me to, but duffy tuwns into an unmovable sack of potatoes,heheh
    hope you all find comfy places
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  35. We see that Blueberry has kept the tiara...
    =o)
    We love the last picture! So funny!

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  36. Feel better soon! I sometimes have to have "conversations" with Argos about who gets first dibs on the couch too. Funny how greyhounds almost universally take over couches, isn't it?

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  37. LOL! Blueberry sure knows how to stretch herself out to her fullest possible length, doesn't she! :D

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  38. We hope you're both much better soon!

    Love the couch photos!

    take care
    Clive and Murray

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  39. By now, we sure hope you are feeling better. Tough time of the year to shake a bad cold, let alone bronchitis. The pups here are funny about sharing a sofa. They like to have it all to themselves, one to a sofa, unless Ciara decides to invade Thunder's space. But when the humans are on the sofa, the pups don't even look to get up.

    On the other hand, we think it is so sweet that Blueberry wants to be there with you.

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  40. Oh wow. You've had a rough week indeed. I've had bronchitis many times. It sucks doesn't it? I am so sorry. I hope you are feeling better soon.

    I won't deny it. Your story of Blueberry and The Couch (sounds like the title of a children's book doesn't it?) had me in stitches. I believe that is what we call a DIVA. LOL! It's amazing how they find a way to get THEIR way isn't it? I don't have the same issue, but can relate in other ways. Jasper (my Sheltie) thinks he owns me so when Nick (my cat) comes up for some cuddle time, Jasper thinks that's his time to let me know that HE needs the attention more than Nick does. Silly dog.

    I really did enjoy reading your post on this Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. I really do hope you are feeling better soon so you can let Blueberry know that Mom owns the couch! (BTW - I've been telling Nick I pay the mortgage on the house and therefore it is not HIS bed or HIS bathroom. He apparently disagrees. :)

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  41. Blueberry is such a doll. Of -course- she needs the entire couch for her convalescence. ;-)

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  42. OMG big splint. I think Blueberry deserves the couch. When mine have broken toes they have had to be in splints for a long time. Toes heal slowly. She needs all the TLC she can get.

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  43. I hope you are feeling much better today!
    Blueberry! I am like you. When I decide that the sofa is mine... believe me... it is mine!
    Happy Saturday to all of you!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  44. You are so adorable
    We love it always to see you in pink :-)
    I hope you are feeling much better muy sweetie

    Enjoy your sunday
    Hugs

    Kareltje =^.^= Betsie >^.^<

    Anya ♥

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  45. We actually thought at one point that we might be able to be one of those "no dogs on the furniture" type houses. It gets even worse when we have company over. We pretend the dogs will stay off of the furniture for the evening, but as soon as I leave the room to freshen someone's drink, our guests melt under the "woe is me on the floor" eyes. By the time I return, I find myself sitting on the dogs' footstool while they settle in next to our guests on the couch!

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  46. Love the pic of blueberry on her back. Too cute. We hope you both feel better soon. Being sick/hurt is just not fun. Get well soon!

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  47. I hope you all get better.

    Best regards!

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  48. Oh dear .. I am no stranger to bronchitis, so I know just how awful you are feeling. Sid, of course, doesn't do furniture, so I don't need to fight for my place these days - but my beautiful Princess Renie did. She'd lay out the full length of the couch, upside down, and any attempt to move her physically would be met with a very apologetic look and a turning on of the Couch Magnet she kept hidden somewhere in her lovely svelt body. Once she turned that thing on, there was no ungluing her. I have no idea how she made herself so heavy and immovable, but she did!

    I do hope you'll be feeling better soon. Don't try to do too much too soon. *Shakes finger*

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  49. We fight the same battle here too! The funniest is when my husband gets up (for even a moment), Brutus instantly steals his pillow! Moving him off that pillow is like trying to lift an anvil!! But having snuggle-buddies makes it all worthwhile!

    Michelle

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  50. LOL. I am currently sitting on the floor as I type. Yup, no room on the couch, they won't move.

    These dog beds aren't as soft and cushy as they look.

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  51. Barbie does the same thing, she gets on the couch and curls up tight, the size of a cushion, then she slowly unravels!

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