This post means a great deal more to me than just a fun picture with 4 of my zoo. If you look closely, it shows the personalities of each animal.

• Louise: Always pawing at me. She knows she can’t be on the couch but she finds ways to get as close as she can by having a paw on me. She seems to be saying ‘Please, Mommy, I was here first. Pet me!,’ and I do. She is the quiet leader of the pack.

• Sofie: The bundle of anxiety that is always at my feet. Through it all, she seems to have that mischievous smile whenever you snap a picture. She is loving that Mommy is home all the time now, but, as you can assume, it has made any separation all the harder for her.

• Mini Cooper: On my lap 24/7 these days. When she isn’t on my lap, she is meowing for me to sit down, so she can be on my lap, or my hip, or my keyboard…

• Charles: Next to you but not on you. Wanting to be the center of attention, but knowing he is small and has to share with all these big animals. He has gotten very vocally demanding these days and that little yip can go right through you. He is pouting in this shot, as he is prone to do because he wants his 3rd supper (he is the most food demanding mugwump ever).

And then, of course, there is me. Currently hiding from the world so that I don’t catch this horrible COVID-19 virus. The animals are my social distancing, especially when I am out walking them. I am one of those ‘vulnerable’ people they keep talking about. I am one of the ones that, if this thing hits, the potential is that it will take me down hard.

Please STAY HOME if you can. If you can’t, follow the rules about washing your hands and keeping your distance. And, for my sake, if you have not been isolated for 14 days with no symptoms, please stay away. That is how we show love and respect in the age of COVID-19.

Thank you to all the first responders, the front line medical workers, the animal caretakers, the grocery store and essential services clerks, the people that keep the warehouses stocked so that things get shipped, and the transportation crews that keep the supply chain going. We will get through this, even though we have to do it #separatelytogether.

Stay well and go wash your paws!

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤