As you’ve probably figured out by now, there’s a LOT of love in our house. And we like it that way. Bella – at 6.5 – has always been a snuggly pup. All I need to do is lay down (anywhere) and say cuddle & she comes bouncing in from wherever she was & snuggles down into my side so that we’re spooning. And she’ll happily stay there for hours. She prepared me for motherhood – teaching me unconditional love & forgiveness.

Bubba obviously gets loads of cuddles. All times of the day or night. Lately a lot at night. This seems to be directly related to the appearance of her first two teeth. And I think there’s also a little of the separation anxiety that comes at this stage. It’s okay Love Bug, I’m just here. How can I not pick her up and cuddle her, breathing in that divine bubba scent. Sure, my eyes are hanging out of my head and some days I’m struggling to string words into a sentence, but those beautiful big blue eyes, and that insanely scrumptious bubba smell make it all worthwhile.

Beary – almost 3 – is less obvious with his love. He’s always there, and his love is strong. In fact, when those nights mentioned above get a little tricky, he really comes into his own (see my post The furry night nurse).

He is happy to give in to a cuddle if you happen to lay down behind him and snuggle in. He is full of love beans when we come through the front door – having been to the front gate (2 metres away) to get the post, or gone for a week – and dances, talks & generally gets all up in your face until you drop everything for cuddles & scratchies. But he’s not so forthcoming with displays of affection otherwise. Which makes them even more special when they are offered unprompted.

Like this morning.

We’d all recently woken up. Love Bug & I had our post-feed snuggle and she & Bella were enjoying their morning routine – bubba patting Bella then Bella giving her a sneaky kiss the second I turn my head.

Beary tiptoed up the side of the bed behind me (not an easy feat for a 32kg dog in a space not quite as wide as him), gently lay down and then nudged the back of my shoulder. I turned around and as I did I got one lick right on the end of my nose. This is the Beary equivalent of a kiss & something I get a couple of times each week when he’s feeling filled with love.

Then he did something he very rarely does and snuggled his snout under my arm and squished himself up as close as he could get. And sighed an enormous, contented sigh. Ah, the love!

Displays of affection are somehow even more lovely when you’re really not expecting them. What a fabulous way to start my day.