I’ve been up for 3 hours with my oldest.

He’s 12.

His name is Ben.

He wasn’t our first baby.

He’s our black lab who has been with us since March 2000…before we were married!

Poor little guy has been in and out of the rain and snow about 20 times in the last 3 hours.

His tummy is bugging him.

Taking care of a sick pet is like taking care of a sick infant…they can’t tell you what hurts.

So, you just keep them comfortable the best that you can.

The first couple of times I got up with him I was frustrated.

He sleeps downstairs, so he walked on the wood floors at the bottom of the stairs and barked…letting me know he needed to go out.

Up and down I went.

By the 3rd time I realized that he really wasn’t feeling well.

I set up shop on the sofa downstairs.

Made some coffee.

Turned on the early news.

I don’t get quiet time in the house very often.

I don’t get time to watch the news in peace very often.

We don’t get snow in Portland very often.

I don’t know how much longer Ben will be around.

I’m enjoying my time with him this morning and hoping he feels better soon.

For now, I’ll just be here for him.

Watching the news.

Watching the snow.

Enjoying my coffee in peace.

home is…taking care of sick babies.