These are the people who have never witnessed him go from snoring unconsciousness, to alert and ready to kill anyone who might think it’s a good idea to mess with me.

We were laying here moments ago and one of my neighbors began setting off some sort of fireworks.  It sounded like a gunshot.  Merlin’s head snapped up and he looked to the couch to be sure I was here.  Another firework went off and he got up, came to the front of the love seat, and sat down directly in front of me with his shoulders squared toward the door and window.  He glanced at me once over his shoulder, his message clear: “Don’t worry Mom, I’ll protect you.”

He has calmed slightly since the first of the noise, now laying down in front of the couch but still at full alert.  There will be no more sleep for him until he’s 100% positive that there’s nothing out there that could possibly harm me.

Say what you will about him, I know I do.  I also know that despite all of his tedious habits, I couldn’t live without this dog.  He has my back, and that’s saying a lot.

Who wants to watch my dog for 10 days in June and then again for a couple days in July?  I’m trying to plan ahead and be certain I have someone for both trips I have to take.  One is to Seattle and the other is to Michigan for one of my closest friend’s weddings.

If anyone would be willing to do that, I would be eternally grateful.

Love,
Kate

Flailing from Kate Moynihan on Vimeo.

He carries Santa everywhere.  He loves to show you his special toy.  He snuggles with him.  I put Santa up at night time, because there is a thing inside him that used to say “Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas.” That is the only thing that has been broken on Santa though, other than one ripped foot.  It’s unbelievable to me that the toy has lasted this long.

He lurves his Santa.

He’s only run into trouble twice getting up in this chair.  By trouble I mean, the top of the chair tipped over and it ended up chasing him out of the way.  He did not like that.

I may end up doing two entries for Merlin Monday today.  I have some really, really adorable pictures that I wanted to put up, but apparently they are still on my camera!

This is what happens no matter what time of the day it is, or what he was doing prior to hearing the siren.  He can be in a dead sleep, but his reaction remains the same.  He jumps up, looks out the window, and then howls long and low.  Then he’ll look out the window again, listen, and howl again if the offensive noise hasn’t dissipated.  I guess consistency is key.

Howling Good Time from Kate Moynihan on Vimeo.

He would prefer it if I was there for him to snuggle up to though.  Heaven forbid he gets cold.

The one good thing is that he will not just take something from the counter… or anywhere else for that matter.  He waits to be given something.  The other good thing?  At least the peppermint removes teh doggy breath!

Peppermint Pup from Kate Moynihan on Vimeo.

Or at least that’s the plan…

The conversation went as follows: **

“Oh… do you want to sleep in the bed tonight too?” asked Merlin.

“Scoot the h*ll over,” said I.

“Grrrrrrrrr,” grumbled Merlin.

“You don’t scare me.  Move it,” says me.

“GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR,” he added impressively.

“Move it or you’re not allowed to sleep here tonight,” threaten I.

“Fiiiiiine,” says Merlin.

Some nights he truly seems to think that he needs much more room than half the queen sized bed.  Prior to moving, Merlin was never allowed to sleep in bed with me.  It was a rule from when he was a puppy that I enforced pretty strictly.  Since the move though, it’s been nice to know he’s right next to me; if I hear a noise in the night I know that he’s right there ready to lay the smack down on any potential intruders (or ghosts or boogie men).  After sleeping alone in the house, I decided that it was worth the slight hassle and the occasional “argument” with him regarding who is sleeping on which side.  He gives me a great deal of peace of mind.  He’s also one heck of a foot warmer.

**I may be taking some liberty with Merlin’s quotes.  They’re 80% accurate.

You can see all of Merlin’s helpfulness HERE

In other news it was a busy weekend.  There were birthday celebrations for my friend’s two children, as well as some picking up of furniture and unpacking.

Birthdays

House