I Love Routines

"The Secret of success lies in the daily routine" - mom once said that someone told so. Yes, it should be true because we, I mean, we non-humans, thrive on routines and I expect my humans to do so as well. Mom does not stick to the routine of creating at least one post a week for me...hope she will learn the art some time soon.

Mom, I think we need to discuss your schedule

Routines, as I mentioned above, are what I love the most in day to day life. A routine for everything right from the time the family wakes up till we hit the bed at night. It is not difficult to follow, right? 

Here is how my days go and I don't feel good if there is a change. 

Most of the mornings, the routine never gets disturbed. An egg in the morning followed by a walk for an hour or a little over an hour. 

Is it the right moment for photo shoot mom?

I love my morning walks particularly when I get a blend of brisk running, active sniffing and some socializing. And I love visiting new places.

Some places are excellent for brisk running, like this one below, where joggers and cyclists are active in the early mornings and evenings...even at nights. 

They should also build lanes for streeties and pets 

I get to see pet parents walking their pets here. On a rare occasion, I spotted a horse brisk running on this street to match her owner's vehicle speed. I started chasing her and mom had to really work hard to make me stop.

On some days, we go to a lake in our neighborhood, which is also a good stretch for brisk running.

Are there any coaching classes for walking on the lake mom?

Some people walk in a strange manner here, that is, they keep walking but they don't go beyond a particular place. Mom said it is 8 walking. It seems mom has written a post on the benefits of 8 walking in yoga blog.

No one is here now. Can we do 8 walk mom?

I love it when my people experience positive emotions - let us say, I love it when my mother gets surprised by my behavior during walks. She often gets bowled over by my scenting skills. One day, on a new street, I suddenly stopped walking and kept looking at a house. Mom tried to tug me saying that there is no one there who could be known to us. 

"You are wrong mom. May be you should read the signboard?" I thought to myself. Then mom read and was stunned. Naturally, she took a pic. 

My schooling started centuries before I was born mom

In fact, there was no furry friend in sight which stunned mom.

Once we get back home, depending on the level of exercise I get, I either sit down and relax or demand dad's attention to play with me. Invariably, he will be exercising and so to make him oblige gets tough. 

But I keep trying. 

Can't you finish YOUR exercise before I get home dad?

Most of the days, he will continue exercising.

Come on dad, let's workout together

If every attempt fails, I will settle down somewhere in the room and give him a look he can't ignore. 

Look into my eyes dad and say "No" if you can

Or I will do this...

With four legs I can occupy more space dad

Mom shortly calls me for breakfast. After finishing my breakfast I start expecting Big B's return. 

Once Big B is back and refreshed, we have a great bonding time together. I nap on his lap, we nap together, we play for a while and then he settles down to read. 

Hope your morning was as busy as ours Big B

After mom feeds me lunch, I engage myself in play while also keeping an eye on everyone at home. 

Shortly, Big B starts for his afternoon classes and now I know it is also time to expect dad's return for lunch. 

This is the time of the day when things get really interesting in terms of what I get to eat. Regular meals apart, this is when I mostly get to have a share of what parents eat, some sort of snacks. Boiled peanuts, nuts and sometimes it could be some fried snacks. I am given a very limited serving, still I love it. I am also given some of my snacks at this time including corn and carrots. 

Do you want to know how much I look forward to this part of the day. Check the pics below:

Father returns home and gives me a peck as soon as he places his bag down.

As he goes about his routine, I start waiting for the next movement. My eyes are on his feet hoping them to move soon towards shower. 

Ok dad, get moving

Once he goes to shower, I change my position so I can have an eye on the bathroom door. 

Shower time should be reduced, at least when a family has a pet member

After dad is done with shower and ready, I look in the direction of mom to see if she moves towards kitchen. 

During important moments, you are always behind camera, mom

I lead the way if mom does not budge. I get out of the room and seat myself in a strategic point from where I can see if mom and dad are getting up to come towards kitchen while also ensuring they don't go to kitchen without my knowledge.

You have a snack-hungry tummy here guys

Fine, after snack time will be the time for afternoon nap. I normally lie down on the sofa in the living room but if mom works on the computer and dad is at his study table, I would join them in the room. Sometimes, I lie down but I also have a preference for the big chair that father occupies. 

Did you buy this when it was small dad?

Sometimes dad sits with me but mostly he gets to sit on the edge.

May be you have to buy one for yourself dad?

Then dad lets me have the entire chair for myself...but I have my doubts. Is he slowly going back to kitchen?

Experience has taught me to keep an eye on you guys during snack time

Big B returns home in the evening and father sets off to his clinic. Before father returns I have a great time with Big B and finish my dinner. 

After father returns, he takes me for a very short walk along with mom. I like to be out again so it is pretty exciting though it is only  for few minutes. It is a different world at night, really. 

Once we are back home, Big B announces that it is bedtime. I start waiting for mom to take me into our bedroom. Sometimes I lie down on the sofa till mom calls me. In fact, I look forward to the moment.

Do all moms have last-minute kitchen things to do?

Finally, I am taken inside the bedroom. Now it is sleep time. 

Good night. See you in the morning

Until tomorrow...

What did mom learn?

Lessons learnt

Animals, both wild and domesticated, have routines to follow. When their routines are interrupted they can get anxious and confused. When you bring a pet home, it is highly important that you establish a routine pretty soon to develop confidence in your pet. More on the importance of routines in a future post.

Walking your pet offers loads of health benefits both for you and your pet. Apart from the physical benefits, walking can be mentally very stimulating. More on the benefits of walking your pets in separate posts.