"Rose Elizabeth!!"

Readers: Apparently, I am in sort of a blogging "funk". Is that contagious? A "non-dog" blog author whose site I visit, recently stated the same complaint!! Ah, writer's block. I suppose when you type stories, insights, feelings, plus opinions twice a week, that is bound to happen sometime!! Sigh.... Well, I am in the mood for a "bad dog" story about Rose.... Here goes.

Every morning for breakfast, Uncle Michael eats twain slices of buttered sourdough bread, plus a strawberry yogurt. On our great room carpet. This is one of Rose's favorite moments!! A chance to spy on poor Uncle Michael while he ingests his breakfast. An opportunity for begging. A chance to lick up any bread crumbs which inevitably fall.... And, best of all, an opportunity for stealing Uncle Michael's toast "crusts" off his plate when he is not looking!! Sneaky, sneaky.... None of these activities are allowed. And Rose knows this fact far too well!! She and I spend mornings together on "our" bed. While I read the daily newspaper, drink orange juice, and engross myself in books. However, when Uncle Michael is eating, Rose prefers to watch him!! She awaits patiently for crumbs, or abandoned buttery bread "crusts". Uncle Michael is usually quite good at remembering to remove his white plate from the carpet. But every now and then.... One morning, I was emptying/filling our dishwasher. I knew in advance that Uncle Michael's breakfast plate still lie on the great room floor. Forgotten. Usually in cases like this, I take care of the plate myself to avoid Rose's thievery. Seriously. She does not need the extra carbohydrates and oily butter!! But I didn't. For reasons beyond my own comprehension, I thought Rose could resist such a temptation. What was I thinking? Rose? My "Living Breathing Vacuum"? The "Mongrel-Hound" with an amazing love affair toward food? My "Little Beggar"? Rose? Avoid temptation? Really?! What on Earth was I thinking? My head must have been groggy that morning, with all common sense emptied out!! I turned around, and glanced through our French doors toward the great room. Where was Rose? Wolfing down the toast "crusts", and licking Uncle Michael's plate "clean"!! For whatever reason, this all-too-common scene shocked me!! Why? Because mentally, I was certain that Rose could resist temptation!! So my reaction was not very ideal. It was just that. A reaction. I did not scold "Bad dog!!", because this isn't my training style. I never gave Rose a firm "No!!". I did not even shout: "Hey, hey, hey!!", which, for reasons beyond my comprehension work on her. No. I yelled, in a rather shocked tone, "Rose Elizabeth!!" Using my Beagle/German Shepherd's middle name also seemingly works wonders. As does keeping a firm tone of voice. Immediately, sans hesitation, Rose ducked away. "Go to bed." I gently commanded. She did.... Licking butter off her paws. Honestly? My naughty girl looked way too pleased with herself....