It all started with an uneasy feeling.  Something was going on that Mom and Dad were keeping a secret from me.  But what was it?  Then the day came.  Dad had surgery!  My fearless pack leader was injured and couldn’t perform our daily routine.  Now I could have made a fuss about how selfish he was for not consulting me first on something that would have such a drastic effect on my routine.  Or I could have been oblivious like Asa and carried on as usual.  But I knew immediately that Dad needed me.  Problem is Mom and Dad didn’t know it.

At first Mom tried to carry on as usual with my routine, but was failing miserably.  Walks were off schedule, meals were late, and my daily game of fetch was cut noticeably short.  Worst yet, through it all I was kept away from Dad!  He came home from surgery that day and immediately went upstairs and never came down again.  Why wasn’t he eating dinner with us?  Why wasn’t he working?  I even missed our lazy evenings in front of the TV together.  I started to pace by the gate to go upstairs.  But Mom just kept telling me that Dad was ok, and to be a good boy.  She even tried to distract me with a new Nylabone to chew, that Asa quickly stole I might add.  How could she not see Dad needed me?

As the days wore on this off-putting schedule continued.  Mom tried to pretend nothing was wrong, and insisted that Dad was ok but needed his rest.  She even took us out for a pathetic attempt at “Sunday Funday” so the house would be quiet.  But I couldn’t be quiet.  I threw a tantrum to go home.  Dad needed me.  Eventually my nerves got the better of me and I vomited a perfectly good breakfast.  By the way Asa, thanks for helping to clean that up.  For you see Mom didn’t come running when I made the telltale noise that I needed her help.  She was upstairs helping Dad instead.  However, once she realized what happened, Mom finally heard my pleas.  After laying down the obvious rule of four paws on the floor so no jumping on the bed, she let me go upstairs to see Dad!

Since staying by Dad’s bedside he has made remarkable improvement!  It’s a proven fact that dogs are the best medicine.  I even made sure Dad followed the doctor’s orders by getting him up every few hours to move around a bit.  Oh sure it is embarassing doing the old man shuffle up and down the driveway with Dad wearing his PJs and slippers.  But I don’t mind.  I know he needs me.  I even watch without protest as Asa heads off on neighborhood patrol with Mom.  I know although they are no match for my patrol skills, the neighborhood would just have to survive without me.  I also relinquished my role as Dump Day Supervisor, and sent Mom off on that important task by herself.  She obviously appreciated my sacrifice and brought me home a delicious treat as a thank you.

So here I sit by Dad’s bedside helping him recover from his surgery.  Not sure how long my routine will be in utter chaos.  The deer have no doubt taken over my yard without me to bark at them.  And Asa now has feelings of grandeur having Mom all to himself downstairs.  Don’t you dare think I didn’t hear the sound of that new bacon scented squeaky ball!  But I’m right where I need to be by Dad’s side.  Oh and in case you’re wondering, no more uneasy feelings for me.