Got up before the alarm to find the kid still sleeping; she overslept.  Sneaked into the bathroom and tried not to wake the animals.  The Muffin Man (aka Muffin or Muffy), 18 year old orange and white Alley cat who runs the house, had been gnawing on my ear since about 4.  Muffy has the skinny old cat look now.  He started to lose the weight about a year or so ago, and you know that once the cats start getting that look, well, you just give them anything they want to eat, anytime.  Brushed my teeth and then opened the kennels to let the dogs out.  First, Louise (aka Lulu Belle), my 2 year old 55 lb black Houadour (that is short for a hound/lab mix), and then Sofie Bear, my honey colored, 1 year old 35 lb Sheltie/ maybe Corgi mix.  Sofie was suppose to be a Collie/Shepard mix (and grow to about 70 lbs), but that’s what happens sometimes when you rescue dogs; you get what you get.  Constance Kitty (4 yrs, long hair black and white with a spine defect) and Noel (4 1/2 yrs, all white with feline herpes (almost lost her when we rescued her)) were already on the stairs waiting for me to come up to the kitchen. Yes up – our house is reversed: we sleep in the lower level and the kitchen, living room and my office are upstairs.  I turned on the outside light, since it was still dark at 6:20, and let the dogs into the fenced yard.  One problem with them free running is that Sofie is the anti-command dog; she listens to nothing and no one.  So, when she is out, it is really hair-pulling hard to get her to come back in.  Luckily, Lulu will listen to what I tell her, so I have 1/2 a chance on getting them back in.  6:40 am – kid out the door with coffee and a Poptart (not the usual healthy breakfast, but no time). I an happy she can drive herself to school finally.  Sofie is doing her morning whine and dance for food (like she has never eaten before).  She really does not like that Muffin helps me mix the dog food and takes bites out of the bowls.  Lulu is patient but does start to prance as the excitement builds.  I make them sit and wait until they are calm before saying ‘let’s eat!’  Next, feed the cats.  Muffin’s heart pill and 1/4 baby Aspirin in a gel treat, then 3 bowls of mush and crunchies (on the counter so the dogs can’t get them). Glad to be down to 3 cats for a while, it make feeding easier (more on that later). Happy cats, and happy dogs (now that they wolfed down their food) because they like to lick the cat food spoon.  Now it is 7:00 and I can finally make myself a cup of coffee.  Got to love that Kureg machine.  Just a regular DogDaz morning. ❤