"A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion." - Washington Irving

It's Saturday and our pack is worn out from the week. I have been substitute teaching more which translates to more play time for our Boy. It's just before 2 p.m. here. Chief is asleep by the couch, J is on his iPad and watching the Longhorns slaughter Texas Tech, and I am, well, blogging. 
What have I learned from my dog this week?  That you can have too much play. Always full of energy, when I bring home Boy after I leave work, he shows very little interest in playing. His routine upon arriving home: walk in the door, drag over to the water bowl, drink for a couple of minutes (I've determined he doesn't stop to drink water when he plays during the day), walk over to the treat cabinet, take the treat I give him to the couch or bed, and settle with a groan or "humph." After that, he naps. He's SO lethargic I start to worry he's sick. Typically he settles either on the couch or on our bed, his way of saying he may be down for the count for the day. I have to coax him out for a walk, and even when we walk he is at a slow pace and tends to walk like an older dog. Too much play.
But he recovers by the next day usually, full of excitement when we wake. It's as if he's saying, "Wow! It's Morning! Wow! It's time for a walk! Wow!... You get the picture. 
As I'm finishing today's post, it is now afternoon and the temperature is a very nice, fall-like 70 out. It's breezy and sunny with some clouds so our Pack has moved outside. Off went the TV, dinner is stewing on the stove thanks to my chef J, and we are comfortable in our chairs out by the pool. Since Chief is still showing some signs of being tired from yesterday, we have put his tennis balls away so he can doze on his bed out here. Peace and quiet except for the rustle of blowing leaves and the wind chimes by my house. 

Two at Play

I'm so happy that Fall has finally started inching into our area. The temperatures are settling in the high 60s to low 70s with some rain in our future (I hope). Leaves are turning gradually; there's a crispness to the air on most mornings. I want to settle in with my sweet boys by me. I want to plan for the holidays and decorate early so that nothing is left until the last minute. I want to clean out the clutter of my house so that all things precious remain inside. But for now, I'll relax outside by the pool with my most precious ones, Chief and J.