Every morning I get up an hour earlier than I should to go downstairs and play with Scout. We generally go for a walk (when it’s not too cold, and when I’m feeling up to coaxing her away from every house where she’s ever seen any other humans or animals–e.g. ‘things put on Earth specifically to keep her entertained’) or just play fetch in the living room. At seven, I have to go upstairs and get ready. Since she’s shown herself able to a.) exist for one hour without going to the bathroom and b.) be alone without chewing everything I own, I allow her to stay out of the crate during that hour.

Every day this week, when I come downstairs after getting ready, she has been curled up in her open crate, hugging one of my shoes. Not chewing the shoe, just hugging it. She loves me enough to cuddle with my footwear.

SarahThe’s Flickr