I admit I like my routine. If forced to deviate too much
from my timetable for my day or my week, I get behind on everything. Lack of
sleep, exercise, or a little down time makes me a bit cranky.
I imagine it’s even harder on my animals when things get
disrupted. While they don’t have chores to worry about, they do establish
routines and expectations and have no idea why they have been changed. My
recent month-long house repair extravaganza was hard on my animals. First the
furniture disappeared from most of the house, and the animal’s range was
restricted. A special plastic door prevented easy travel into the kitchen or
computer room. Workmen stomped and pounded and produced a hail of broken
drywall, insulation, nails and other debris that pets had to be protected from.
Loki’s daily routine of breakfast, quality time sitting on the couch back
watching birds, napping on my lap in the computer room, and lunch on her
special table in the living room was totally wiped out. While Winston enjoyed
the daily visits from friendly workmen, he did not enjoy being locked out of
the living room and his favorite chair. The final stage of floor refinishing
was the worst. Winston whined and cried while being restricted to the bedroom;
a large piece of plywood in the landing prevented him from entering the main
house and walking on the wet polyurethane. Loki pouted on the bed, missing her
lap time. The ferrets had been denied their energetic runs through the living
room for some time, but had still had some daily free time in the den. Now
their only play time is in a “ferret play pen”, which is very boring for them.
At last, the floors have dried, furniture has been moved
back in, and the house is reasonably back to normal. Winston can chase his toys
through the living room; Loki can resume her post on the couch, or nap next to
the pillows. At last, back to normal for most of us, and routines can be
resumed. And that’s a good thing!
