The Bigggg Stretch

Every morning...pet-wise...starts the same for us. Our weiner dog Holly is up and at 'em...and heads for the door. And...watch out for her tail...because it is always wagging. But...the little she-devil chihauhau...Niya...is a different story. She ambles out from under the blanket...and gives you the "WHY ME?...WHY NOW?" look. And...then she has to stretch. Always the front legs first...then the back. Then she relunctantly aligns herself next to you to get her sweater on. Sometimes...when you're late...the whole thing becomes a maddening procedure.

The swans go through a similar routine. It is a full body stretch. It starts with a little dip of the neck, and then the neck goes forward and the wings join in, and it ends with a giant crescendo at the top. FULL EXTENSION IS REACHED!!! Makes me feel more limber just watching it.

Do you ever have to do one of those stretches where arms and legs and back and hips are all involved? But...that's not enough for me. The sounds from the bottom of the gut have to accompany it. Very guttural...and it starts quite softly..."a-a-a-h-h-h", and then ends with something that resembles an ape in heat..."A-A-A-HHHHHH! NOW...THAT'S A STRETCH!!!

Unlike my doggie, I have to be careful with that first stretch of the morning. I can feel it sometimes being close to a cramp. No fun to age.

A stretch of the swan. That...I can relate to.

Don't forget your Valentines Day cards. Another Hallmark holiday.