Couch Sitting

Mom has been on her best behavior this week with housebreaking and Levi has followed suit. Yea, home team!

But Mom and Dad have developed a difference of opinion on an important matter in a dog's life: getting on the couch. When she first adopted Levi, Mom decided that he---unlike his brothers and sister before him---would not be allowed up on the furniture. The idea was that Levi could very well out-live Mom and Dad and she wanted to raise a perfectly mannered dog that anyone would welcome into their home (along with the small care allotment already spelled out in their wills).

This week Levi learned how to take a flying leap, landing on the couch. After doing his flyboy trick he plants his little butt down and looks right at Dad sitting close by in his La-Z-Boy as if it's the most natural thing in the world for a puppy to do. Who could resist those almond shaped brown eyes of his? Dad can't. His laughter is
what gives Levi away to Mom. She is yet to see the flying leap since she's usually in the kitchen at her keyboard when it happens.

She's not going to win the couch war and I frankly don't think her heart is into doing so. Today, Levi was even trying to figure out how to crawl over from the couch to Dad's lap. Mom saw him trying this "low-wire act" when she was coming into the living room to see what had Dad all excited. Levi was so pleased with himself that Mom didn't have the heart to protest. So she lifted Levi over to Dad's lap and they both petted him and Levi rolled over on his back so he could get the full Monty treatment. When he got his fill of hands-on love, he couldn't figure out how to jump down to the floor so he got lifted again. As soon as he works out the logistics of getting on and off the La-Z-Boy, which shouldn't take too long, Dad will get a napping partner. Dad will be thrilled and is happy that Mom's resolve in dog training is as solid as marshmallows melting in the sun. ©
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