Someone to Watch Over Me

As the weather is changing, the wind whips through the valley behind my house.  The neighbors are painting & the plastic on their windows flaps with every gust.  The ropes on the ladders that are left standing for the last 2 days are thumping against the house & fence, and the trees are dancing back & forth, casting playful shadows on the walls of my bedroom...

These things combined create a lot of new sounds & sights in the room, and Stanley jumped to attention, barking at the shapes, practically jumping on the walls with every "thump" he heard!  It took a good few minutes to calm him down, and when it's all said & done, he layed down on the bed, facing the window, between me and the unfamiliar sights & sounds.  He's sleeping now, every now and then lifting his head to look around, make sure there are no potential threats. 

Such a simple and instinctive act for a dog who's nature is to be loyal to his "pack" and yet it just touches my heart.  I've said it before, quoting the Norah Jones song, and I'll say it again... Stanley definately is my man of the hour.