A Day in the Life of Tank

A page from Tank's diary.

Living with an author/homesteader always keeps me hopping. As head dog, I'm required to keep tabs on mom and keep her safe. But as you can see by my daily itinerary below, it's a full time job.

My little bro, Iko is absolutely no help. And now we have a grumpy white dog living with us too.

My work is never done.


4:30am: Oh, lord. Mom's stirring. Go back to sleep. S-L-E-E-P. It's still dark outside for crying out loud.

4:35am: Good girl. She turned over. Wait. Nope. She's getting up. Damn!

5:00am: I don't hear any dishes rattling. Just the tap, tap, tap of her keyboard. Who the heck is she writing to this early in the morning? Iko's gone to investigate. I'll just lay here a little longer.

6:00am: So hungry. And I don't smell any breakfast. More tapping in the distance. Iko is back and he wants to play. I like it better when dad is here. Mom always lets him sleep in and I stay to protect him. :sigh: I better get up. Stupid Iko will just keep bugging me anyway.

6:30am: Time for the Tanky-two-step. Look, mom. Aren't I cute? I give her a big sloppy kiss. She pats my head and apologizes for being late with breakfast. "Let me comment on one more blog," she tells me. I nuzzle her arm and she gets the message. I am far more important than any blog.

7:00am: Yay! Food. It's my favorite. Chicken and rice with a couple of eggs. Mom is the BEST cook.

7:30am: Official daylight. She's off to feed the chickens and she lets me go with her cuz I'm the good son. Iko is such a dummy. If he wouldn't run around like a spazoid, mom would let him go with us too.

8:30am On patrol. Mom invites me to ride with her on the golf cart, but I'd rather walk. She inspects all her plants, digs in the dirt, or gathers logs and branches into a big pile. I sniff for all the animals who traipsed through the property overnight.

11:30am: Lunch time. I drool patiently while mom eats. I don't think she's ever finished a whole meal by herself--not as long as I've lived here. I wonder why that is?

Noon: Lunch time tapping for her. Napping for me.

3:00pm: Dad's on the phone! She has him on speaker and he said Hi to me. I love dad! He ordered mom to give me a cookie. Did I mention how much I love dad?

3:30pm: Dinner. About time! I was wasting away to skinny bones.

4:00pm: Another walk around the property. Drat. She says we have to take Iko with us this time. At least he's on leash.

5:00pm: Mom sits down for her dinner. Yuck. She's having a salad and a potato. Oh, well. I can help her with the potato.

7:00pm: Time for another chat with dad. He always asks about us. Actually he's only interested in me, but he mentions Iko and that grumpy white dog just to be polite. 

8:00pm: I might as well go to bed. Mom will be tapping on that keyboard for a few more hours.

11:00pm: There she is. Now I have to move over. At least I made her spot on the bed nice and toasty. She turns on the tv. I hope there are no dogs on tonight. It's my duty to warn them off, but I'm tired and want to go back to sleep.

11:30pm: Mom shuts off the tv, then gives me a hug and a kiss. "Mommy loves you, baby."  

Aw, shucks. (She says that to me every night.) I love you too, mom. Can we sleep in until six tomorrow?


Comments

Aww, how sweet is that? Great post.

I've been thinking about our Murphy, long gone to Rainbow Bridge. Sometimes it's hard not having a dog. But then I consider the absence of dog hair and muddy footprints and think it's not so bad.
Angelina Rain said…
lol. Being Tank is a full time job!

Wow, you get up so early.
Sarah Ahiers said…
AWWWW!!!! I want to give Tank a big hug and kiss!!
Does he grumble and talk a lot like some rotties do?
Maria Zannini said…
Dee: I could never be without a dog, muddy paw prints and fur. It's a fair trade for what I get back.

Angelina: It's not that I want to get up that early. Once I wake up, I can't fall back asleep. It's a curse!

Sarah: He's actually very quiet. But he does hug and puts his paw on your lap. Because he's so quiet, I know there's trouble if he starts barking or growling. Tank vocalizes only when he suspects danger.
Anonymous said…
Such a wonderful picture.. that smile, sweet face... I feel lucky to have met this gentil giant. Tell him i love him too. :o). And let him sleep til 7.
Mel
Maria Zannini said…
Mel: Tank is one of a kind. I'll not see his like again in my lifetime. I can't believe anyone could abuse such a sweet boy.

Ref: He'd sleep in if Iko would let him. :)
Stacy McKitrick said…
What a fun post!

When Barney (our cocker spaniel mix) was alive, he WANTED me to get up early. He loved our morning walks - just the two of us - and I never missed a day (even when it rained). In fact, he'd try and wake me early (I woke up to a cold nose numerous times) - I was the one who would tell him to go back to SLEEP!
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: When I get up, Iko is right in my face, but he usually gives me a chance to stumble to the bathroom before he starts getting goofy. Kids!
Raelyn Barclay said…
Poor Tank. You're such a slave driver Maria, LOL

Roxy is only interested in getting up that early if there's walk involved otherwise she'll stay curled up till 9am! But I'm like you, once I'm awake I can't go back to sleep.

Brilliant post!
Maria Zannini said…
Raelyn: If Tank had his druthers, he'd stay in bed until he heard the dishes rattling. All of a sudden that ten-year-old becomes two. :) Tank loves his meal times.

The only reason he drags himself out of bed is because Iko won't let him rest until he does. Iko adores his big brother though. As far as he's concerned, the sun rises and sets over Tank.
LD Masterson said…
Aw, there's a good boy. Yeah, aren't you a good boy? Here, you need another cookie. Yes, you do. Another cookie for the sweet boy. You tell mommy I said to give you another cookie.

Iko and the grumpy white dog should get one, too, but only so they don't bother you while you enjoy yours.
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Oh, great. I think that dog has learned to read. He's nudging my arm and giving me those Groucho Marx eyebrows. That's Tank code for: Cookie Time.

PS Glad to see you're blogging again!

Off to pay my "protection money".
Angela Brown said…
Tank's got a full day of protecting you, receiving treats ordered by dad, eating all his own meals, "helping" you make sure your meals are eaten through and through and shaking his head at Iko.

The head dog's job is never done :-)
Jackie said…
Tank I hear your pain, sleeping in is one of the perks we miss as since getting my Tabby cat 9 years ago everyone gets up before daylight so she gets her breakfast!
However unlike your Mom I can and do go back to bed once my Chihuahua Nikki goes out and both tabby and Tom are fed their morning ration. Sleep is hard won by me so at least stay in bed till 8am as from 5 to 8 is my favorite sleeping hours, plus the 14 year old Chi needs more beauty rest or he is grouchy all day! :-)
Jennifer Shirk said…
THAT was so cute!! What a great life that dog has! :-)
Jenny Schwartz said…
Tank needs EXTRA cookies!

See, I got the point of his post ;)
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: Sadly, Tank has to share my meals with the others. It's share and share alike in this house. LOL.

***
Jackie: The only time I can go back to bed is if I'm sick and both Tank and Iko are GOLD. It's as if they know I'm sick and they ask for nothing--not even breakfast.

***
Jennifer: He does lead the life of Riley. :o)

***
Jenny: Bingo! You got his point exactly.
Tia Nevitt said…
That was fabulous. Thanks, Tank!
Shelley Munro said…
Aw, I just want to give Tank a big cuddle. He's obviously very good at his job of looking after Mum.
Jill Kemerer said…
That's so cute! Love how Dad says "hi" from the phone!
Rula Sinara said…
Such an adorable post! Love it!
Maria Zannini said…
Tia: :Tank takes a bow:

Shelley: People are always wary of him cuz he's so big, but he's actually a marshmallow. He just wants to be loved.

Jill: LOL. Dad talks to him on the phone all the time.

Rula: I thank you and Tank thanks you. :)
Dru said…
What did I miss? What grumpy white dog?

Tank is cool!
Melissa McClone said…
Very cute! Thanks Tank for the glimpse into your life!
Marianne Arkins said…
Okay ... waiting for Iko's day! *G*

Tank is such a sweetie.
Maria Zannini said…
Dru: I had two strays wander on our property. After trying desperately to find their owners, the puppy died of parvo, and none of the no-kill shelters would take the older dog. So we kept kept her. (she's only grumpy around meal time)

Melissa: Tank is normally the strong silent type, so I was pleased he elected to amuse us.

Marianne: I should let Iko appear, shouldn't I? I don't know if I could keep up with him though. :)
Nadja Notariani said…
Adorable! Quite possibly the most selfless love you can experience is from your dog. Probably sappy...but true. :}
Unknown said…
Aw, what a wonderful post. Tank is absolutely adorable.
Maria Zannini said…
Nadja: That's true for Tank. All he wants is to please you--and sleep on the couch. :)
Mark K said…
Tank looks a real softie - lovely picture :)
Maria Zannini said…
Mark: Oh, he is. Underneath those muscles (and teeth) lies a heart of gold.
Mike Keyton said…
Now I call that a life! Tank has sussed things out.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Tank is like water--he always finds his own comfort level.