Doing what labs do best

Last night, I thought I'd surprise Master when he came home from work by being all pupped out in my gear. So I geared up, lycra suit, kneepads, paws (which are a B*TCH to put on when they close by velcro and you're wearing a full lycra suit! But Master made them for me and I love them!) and collar, and lay down on the bed with my toys to wait for him (figured I'd pup out early so as to be really in pupspace when he came home).

Well half an hour later, he came home. I ran to greet him at the door, but it wasn't quite the warm welcome I'd expected. Something was wrong. He went to run himself a bath while I played with my toy on the bed some more. Eventually, I got curious (as all good puppies do) and made my way to the bathroom, toy in muzzle, to pay him a visit. He was in pain. Even moving a little hurt. I lay my head on my paws on the rim of the tub and he petted my head. He told me that at work, he'd hurt himself. He works for a rental car company detailing the rental cars and his wash bay is effectively outside. The floor was like a skating rink 'cause it was -15 C (5 F) outside yesterday (it was probably even colder where he was 'cause his company is nearer to the harbour than our apartment is). Anyway, with the icy conditions, he'd slipped and, with his cat-like reflexes, he grabbed the nearest thing he could - a car door. But his feet continued to give way under him and he went down, twisting his shoulder and throwing out his back. OW. He was so sore it took him a long time to take his coat off and even put on his bathrobe after his bath. So I just sat there like a good dog and listened as he petted my head gently. I let out a soft whimper of concern (I don't like it when Master is hurt) and he assured me that he'd be okay. After a while, I left him alone and went back to the room to play, but I still worried. I went back into the bathroom after I heard him pull the plug on the tub, but not get out like he usually does. I peeked around the corner and I saw him just lying there. He was in noticeable pain when he tried to get out of the tub, but he made it eventually. I backed out of the bathroom and went and laid down on the bed waiting for him.

He sat on the bed and I put my head in his lap and he petted me and talked some more. And I just laid there and listened. That's what labs are for, right? Being good listeners and 200-pound lap dogs. =^^=

Anyway, after a while, he said he wanted to go sit on the couch where his back had some support, and I followed him out and laid my head in his lap again. He kept on petting me, and I think it was kinda therapeutic for him. He seemed to enjoy it. At one point, he looked down at me and said "I love you, Hali." I nuzzled back my reply and licked his hand. I think he was happy he had his pup with him just listening while he watched TV. We stayed like that until he pulled me out of pupspace to go make supper.

Sometimes, for me, this is what puppy play is all about. There's no real kink, no commands, no leash. Just a man (well, wolf) and his labrador puppy, sharing a cuddle and having some quality time together just talking (well, he was talking, I was listening and making whatever dog sounds seemed appropriate).

So, pups, next time your Master is unwell or hurt, just lay your head in His lap and listen. It'll do you both good. I know it did for me.