Blitzen IV ,our Labrador Retriever★，is an unusual dog.In part，this is because she spends SO much time with US that she knows what to expect at any time of the day.Another way of looking at this is that she knows she has US trained to do the things shewants：i.e.，feedingherimmediatelyafterherearlymorningwalk7：00am,andagain，just as she hears the last musical strains of the theme song for the TV program."Jeopardy★" 5：00pm；taking her outside for her“toilet time’on the noon hour,and again just after supper；giving her the medication。she needs twice a day,and on each of these occasions expecting to receive a small dog treat as a reward.She tells US when it is time to go to bed 9：30pm，wakes in time to tell me its time to get up for her walk 6：00am，and when we return，goes in to greet Maxine，who is allowed to stay in bed until the dog jumps on the bed，sniffs her to make sure sheis still alive and breathing，and then goes to the kitchen to see if her breakfast is prepared on time 7：00am.
She scolds“US if our plans for the day interfere with her routine，and talks to US when she is pleased with our punctuality5.Because she is more punctual than our paper boy or mail deliveryman，she barks softly to te U US they have arrived.
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