Routines keep me going when things get hectic and occasionally overwhelming. Monday mornings especially, are driven by routine to get me up and out of the door and ready for my day. Getting in exercise when I feel like I’m just too busy, is helped by the routine of walking at lunch and snowshoeing after school. But one of my favorite routines isn’t to help me stay task-driven- it is to help me STOP.
Weekend mornings I grab my cup of coffee and make my way to the couch. All I need to do is sit…and they come! The snuggle brigade. I have two cats and two small dogs and they all vie for a spot on my lap. My only “task” is to keep my coffee from splashing on all of us.
At first it is a flurry of furry activity, but as I wait they each settle in and find a spot on, beside, or behind me. The dogs sigh a deep cleansing breath. The cats curl their paws in and close their eyes. I am “trapped”. I can’t DO. I can only BE. It is only when that coffee cup needs refreshing that I even contemplate a move. Even then, I don’t worry because upon my return from the kitchen, process repeats itself.
And so I savor this Sunday morning with my fur babies. I can’t imagine life without my calming critters.
litcoachlady 
What a wonderful way to start the day with all your friends! I do savor those slower Saturday and Sunday mornings, too. While Saturday is a bit busier, Sunday lets you breathe.
Like you, I love my calming critters. Right now, I only have one- a big old black lab mix. She’s never been a cuddler, though, like some of my other dogs, and would much prefer to lay within eyesight, but not right next to me. I miss Ramsey, the golden, who always laid right at my feet, and Boo and Jack, who always rested their heads on my right hip.
Yes. YEs. YES! LOVE to start every day with cat meditation!
Sounds like a wonderful start to your day! Sometimes I wish Lexi wasn’t a lab so that she could snuggle like a small dog. 🙂
The unconditional love from those pets is a calming way to start a day. Enjoy!
So glad you are talking about lovely pets – when I saw the word critters in your title, I immediately thought about rodents!
This is a lovely ritual! I love how the chaos leads to everyone calming down and finding the perfect spot.
I think I need to find myself a similar ritual- one that will remind me to just BE and not DO. Hmmm, I don’t have pets…. You’ve got me thinking now.
I love your snuggle brigade – what a lovely way to begin each weekend morning.
What a great ritual to help you stop and “just be”. It sounds like a lovely start to your weekend days.
I am in love with your dogs! I have a cuddle pup too — a Puggle. She’s the reason I don’t hand quilt anymore. Every time I get a project out to work on, she insists on sitting in my lap. I can’t resist her!
I love how my dog seems to know just when I need her to cuddle with me. Animals have such a great instinct that us humans so often seem to miss.
I love your ritual — I run most mornings but I love quiet time with a hot cup of coffee when I get that experience. I love the line: I can’t DO. I can only BE. This is a good mantra — I might give it a go!
Clare
I wish my dogs would allow my cat to co-exist with them upstairs with us. Poor Joe(cat) has to stay in our finished basement area where we go down to workout. One of us always go down and visit him but wish they could do what your fur babies do Paula! Thanks for sharing your slice about your fur babies!
Great photo! You obviously are completely blessed. Just one more reason to love weekend mornings.