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Breaking The Rules

Darla in chair

The only two completely dog-free zones in the house are our bedroom and my chair in the corner of the living room. That's the same chair that has moved with us from Seattle to Montana and on to New Hampshire. It's the same chair that survived Priscilla the blind Poodle shredding the seat cushion a few years ago — which is why the recliner is always covered in a sheet or blanket. The rule always was, no dog in that chair!

And then blind Darla arrived and promptly claimed it as her own. She didn't know she was violating a long-standing "order of the court." I was taken aback when I walked in one day recently and found her happily asleep in the chair.

I haven't had the heart to tell her "no" and shoo her off. I don't know why. Seems like someone has developed a real soft spot for this old girl. Maybe someone had better go buy himself another chair … or learn to share this one.
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25 responses to “Breaking The Rules”

  1. Margaret Avatar
    Margaret

    I think any of us would feel lucky to share the chair with sweet Darla 🙂 What a doll.

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  2. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    I say share the chair. She looks so comfortable and happy in it. But what happens when all the other dogs may see her in the chair? Could be some unhappy canines at the farm.

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  3. Barb Ribinski Avatar
    Barb Ribinski

    I know your blog readers will not be surprised to hear that you have a soft spot for Darla. We knew it all along. And we can tell she’s just the sweetest old girl. I’m thinking she knows that’s your chair, which is why she is in it in the first place.

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  4. Kathleen Rivard Avatar
    Kathleen Rivard

    “Share”. You’ll be so much happier if you do. She is such a doll baby!! 🙂 🙂

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  5. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Not at all a surprise that ‘someone’ has a soft heart….I think a couple ‘someones’….But in any case, you deserve a new chair!

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  6. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Go Darla!!!!!

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  7. Miranda Avatar
    Miranda

    Your girl looks like she’s thinking, “I can stay here, can’t I?” Celebrate being a Doggy Daddy and get yourself a new chair for Father’s Day!

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  8. Tonya Allen Avatar
    Tonya Allen

    Awww, how sweet. She does look very cozy. It would be a shame to make her move. It’s just her size, too. And it smells just like you, which makes Darla feel very safe. Maybe she’s hoping you’ll come and share it with her.

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  9. Leila K. - Western WA Avatar
    Leila K. – Western WA

    Awwwwwwwwww……I wouldn’t have the heart to kick her out either. You’re a great dad! 😀

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  10. Lisa Brown Avatar
    Lisa Brown

    Yep…I think you’ve answered your own question here Steve…new chair or sharing or both: sounds like a win-win, and glad to see I’m not the only one with this dilemma. 🙂

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  11. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    It isn’t taking long for Darla to figure out the RDF rules and then try to bend them to her will. Through seven rescue dogs since 1977 we HAD one and only one hard and fast rule. No dogs on the living room furniture. Everything else was fair game. Then our latest arrival (a beagle of course) found our living room sofa a good home base. My wife and I quickly gave up knowing that our wills against beagle laser like focus on what they want was a non-starter.

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  12. Anne in FL Avatar
    Anne in FL

    May as well learn to share…if you get a new chair it would only be a matter of time till it was taken over as well. They have their little paws in the door, your dog free zones are doomed it seems (heeheehee…)

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  13. Lynn (in Louisiana) Avatar
    Lynn (in Louisiana)

    I think Barb is right. Darla knows that’s your chair and that is precisely why she’s laying there looking so adorable. Love. What a wonderful thing~

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  14. Heidi, Emmett the Beagle and Moxie the Kitty Avatar
    Heidi, Emmett the Beagle and Moxie the Kitty

    Awww….wookit that face. How could you possibly shoo her off? She really has a way of melting hearts, even through photos. I think Tonya has it right; she may have a special fondness for you, too, and likes that the chair smells like you. Share the chair, and get a new chair – for the bedroom!
    Oh, and I am amused that the bathroom did NOT make it onto the dog-free zone list. I am never permitted to use the facilities alone, myself, I imagine it’s the same x30 at your house.

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  15. Shirley * James/Portland, OR Avatar
    Shirley * James/Portland, OR

    Oh Steve……time to share! I guess nothing is sacred when you have 20+ dogs! Love it!

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  16. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    I say that a great father’s day present from the dogs would be a new recliner. We all know that you’re a softie and that you have a special place in your heart for darling Darla 🙂

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  17. Valerie Avatar
    Valerie

    Gosh….what a heart warming picture*…….

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  18. gayle Avatar
    gayle

    Oscar made it to the bedroom and this lucky girl has your chair!!
    Soooo Sweet…..

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  19. Mary Ann Avatar
    Mary Ann

    Comfortable, secure, happy.
    Great!

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  20. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    It’s a wise man who knows when to throw in the towel. Looks like it’s “share” or “new chair” time for you.

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  21. Stu Kertiss Avatar
    Stu Kertiss

    Steve, you and I must be related or at least “soul brothers” I wouldn’t kick her off either. I drive my wife crazy that I won’t make our cat move if he’s in my chair. I’ll just sit in another one.

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  22. Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA Avatar
    Diane Borden, Chehalis, WA

    As one who “retires” the old furniture to the doggy den in the garage (their home when we are gone, complete with doggy door and outside run) I think you need a new chair. Our doggy den has a hida-bed and two recliners the dogs love. You know Steve, recliners have come a long way in design over the past 15 years!

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  23. Colleen & Andre Avatar
    Colleen & Andre

    The minute I move from a spot my kitty jumps into it. When I return to the room I find another place to sit. They do have us wrapped around their little paws, don’t they! Darla sure looks cozy.

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  24. Brenda Brackmann Avatar
    Brenda Brackmann

    soft hearts are what animals make of us, huh?

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  25. Roz Sprinkling Avatar
    Roz Sprinkling

    I really hope Darla will become a permanent pup. I’d like to always see her in your photos & blogs.

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