Reilly: Plays Games, All Sorts

How cute is this?  I mean, just how cute is this? And Reilly is not only melt-in-your-mouth cute, but she's just so dang happy!  And while I've joined the ranks of thousands who are sneezing, coughing, whining and whimpering, Reilly has donned her charm and become my very own personal Mary Poppins, being ever so cheerful and attentive, and pulling all kinds of magical remedies out of her tapestry bag.  I couldn't be in better hands, er, paws.

For example, to help me out, Reilly has eagerly taken charge of waking Meredith each morning and--very funny thing--Reilly doesn't discriminate between weekdays and weekends, showing Meredith how to make the most of the early daylight hours this weekend.  Thanks to Miss Rise and Shine, Meredith has discovered sections of the day she never knew existed!  This is a very good thing when college applications are due, like, now. As Mere exclaimed Sunday in her early morning fog, "Reilly's just so, so, so cute".  Meredith is smitten. And--the bonus--she's up early!

Reilly has not only taken over certain chores here at the house, but she has also asserted herself as nurse-maid, turning herself into a live 'n kicking hot water bottle, keeping me warm wherever I am.  If I need warmth on my lap, she perches on my lap.  If I need warmth on my belly, she lays on my belly.  She's got that dog-sense that tells her right where my hurt is, and she goes there. I'm also smitten.

And then also in her bag of tricks is her sense of humor and lots of indoor games, for days just like these.  Yesterday we played our own version of America's Next Top Dog Model.  Deftly going from doting nurse-maid to sex-i-licious siren, Reilly wrapped herself in a faux cheetah throw and proceeded to wow us all by steaming up Meredith's camera, showing just what a seductress and flirt she can be.  She showed us coy.  She showed us fierce.  She showed us pouty. The camera pulsed, the room sizzled, and Reilly smoked.

Alors....When the winds change, Reilly will be packing her tapestry bag and donning the magic parrot umbrella, I know.  Up, up, and away she'll go to lands far away, spreading her warmth and cheer and cuteness.  How we will miss her, and yet how lucky we are to have this time with her! When that day comes, we'll blow her a kiss, and that will be lucky, too.