Life is simple here. I think humans forget how simple it can be. You just need a shady tree, someone who loves you, and a comfortable pillow to nap on.

 

Another Morning in My Kingdom

Another beautiful morning in my backyard! Yes, mine. I’ve claimed it—every inch of grass, every tree trunk, every shady corner. When I trot outside, I feel like a king stepping into his courtyard. The giant trees raise their arms like loyal guards, their leaves rustling above me, whispering secrets I don’t quite understand but pretend I do. The lights wrapped around their trunks? Oh, I love those. At night, they glow like fireflies that decided to stay forever.

The hammock is my throne. Well, I don’t actually sit in it (my legs are too short, and honestly, it wobbles). I sit in it ON Emma.  I lie on her belly.  And the patio table? That’s where the humans gather to talk about serious things, like food and life and why I’m the cutest dog alive (which, by the way, I am).

There are gnomes everywhere—sneaky little guys who never move when I’m looking, but I swear they’re plotting something when my back is turned. The bird feeders shaped like mushrooms are my morning entertainment. Birds come, I pretend to ignore them, then—BOOM— I dash just to see them scatter. It’s our little game. I think they love it.

The flowers are Emma’s pride—orange daylilies, lush ferns, and these giant green leaves (she calls them monstera). I think of them as my jungle. Sometimes I hide under them, pretending I’m a wild dog on safari. This backyard is magic. It smells like summer, feels like safety, and hums with life.

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But this morning, Emma wasn’t all smiles. She checked that little glowing box (the one she tells herself not to check) and sighed. I tilted my head—because when Emma sighs like that, I know something’s wrong. She told me someone died yesterday in the water. It made Emma quiet, and I curled up closer to her. .

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The rain started tapping on the leaves above us, but guess what? Not a drop hit me. The trees made a roof just for me. I listened to the birds gossiping and the baby squirrels racing around. I love when the world slows like that. Emma sat still too, which is rare. She’s always moving, gardening, cleaning, making those cards she’s obsessed with. I think I’m her reminder to pause. I’m good at that.

Life is simple here. I think humans forget how simple it can be. You just need a shady tree, someone who loves you, and  a comfortable pillow to nap on.