Breaking the Rules

We know quite well how important it is in this household to follow the rules.  One of the most important rules is for all things to be done decently and in order.  Petey does not cope well with changes in his well ordered world.  We learned that lesson once again last night.

Before  relating the story from last night, it is important to know what the evening routine should be.  Petey goes to bed first, preferably about 9:00.  Earlier is better and later will be tolerated but not past 10:00.  Then he goes to bed alone.  Lori goes to bed second.  She is allowed to read until such time that John goes to bed.  That is that.  It works quite well so there is no reason at all for things to change.

Somehow the earth tilted on its axis or there was a wrinkle in the universe because last night John went to bed first, and went to sleep.  Petey hurriedly got in bed.  He was upset that he'd been beaten to bed.  What's worse was that John was in Petey's 'starting position.'  He moves to the center when Lori gets in the bed.  Petey's only option was to get in Lori's place.  This is when the trouble really started.

Lori seemed to think that she should get in the bed, in her spot.  Petey did not.  Petey repeatedly snapped and snarled at Lori every time she tried to get in the bed.  The fracas woke up John.  He tried to hold Petey still long enough for Lori to get in to the bed.  It took several attempts as Petey was snapping and snarling at John.  Petey was just plain mad about the situation.

Lori finally got in the bed and no one was bleeding.  Petey found a nice spot on John's back between his shoulder blades that needed to be licked.  So, Petey set out to licking that spot at a frantic pace.  When he was finally dissuaded from licking that spot, there was an equally good spot on Lori's back.

Finally, Petey was pushed completely under the cover at their feet so that they could get to sleep.  Apparently, this was far too hot for Petey.  He got out from under the cover and positioned himself between their heads panting like he'd been on the Sahara Desert.

Lori gave up and went to the couch.  John and Petey spent a restful night in the bed.  This will NOT happen again, not on Petey's watch.