It all started innocently enough. I mean it was just a regular day, Hubs and me and of course, KayKay. Things plodded along as usual. KayKay had breakfast, her walk, of course the foo-foo with brush and a spray of “smell-good.”

Next was the all important tummy scratching time (not Hubs) and then lap time. If nothing else, KayKay is a lap-puppy. Then we had to locate where she had stashed her baby toy and her ball because you see it was morning nap time and she must have all of her favorite things with her for naps.

That is when I tip-toed into my office for a little work but the noise of the opening of the door awakened the pup and she ran helter/skelter and piled into my lap. Now at my computer desk space is limited with all of my papers and books but I made space for the little fuzzy one as I always do.

I must tell you to be only 10 pounds that little pup can snore, which can sometimes disrupt my creativity, but as usual I trudged onward but it was when KayKay decided that she really must sit on my shoulder that I made a decision.

There must be intervention at the McKee Ranch. I must make a schedule: time for KayKay, time for me and well Hubs can just do the best he can. It all seemed fair.

The next morning arrived and I with schedule in hand began the day. 8 a.m. – Feed KayKay, 8:15 – Walk KayKay, 8:45 – brush and foo-foo, 9 a.m. – tummy scratch. 9:15 – office time. It all seemed to work pretty well and I was beginning to congratulate myself. As I walked into my office, I noticed the door was ajar and there sitting at my computer was (you guessed it) KayKay.

Oh, my, she looked up at me with those big brown eyes and I melted. “OK,” I said. And she hopped into my lap. But this time, I determined, she would not sit on my shoulder. And she didn’t. This time she sat on top of the keyboard.

This intervention thing was not working out.

I decided to tune into the TV show and take notes. OK, I know I am addicted and my addiction is KayKay. I have allowed her to take over the household. This little 10-pound, fuzzy one is my boss. Where did I go wrong?

I noticed the TV show recommends that an ultimatum must be given to the troubling party and I did that. I said, very sternly, “No, KayKay.” Really I did, but she made no mind. She just barreled on through and got her way (with treats).

Also the show recommended an interventionist should be part of the team. And I must say Hubs did his very best but she got him, too. Then I noticed the treatment plan includes an all expenses paid treatment facility so’s I moved her high-dollar fluffy bed with all of her favorite toys into the laundry room. That could serve as her treatment facility I innocently thought. Didn’t work, either. She loved it, jumping around in the laundry basket, barking at the door, watching the dryer go round and round.

Then it suddenly occurred to me. It wasn’t KayKay who needed intervention. It was me!

I cut the TV back on. On the next episode I noticed the addicts sat in a circle and discussed their problems. But I would never be able to do that. KayKay would not allow it. When I sit, she must be in my lap.

When all seemed lost, KayKay showed me the way. It was really an easy fix. Just get up an hour earlier and go to bed an hour later. That would allow all of KayKay’s must have time and a little for me. I guess Hubs is the loser but he’ll have to take that up with the fuzzy one.

Intervention at the McKee Ranch continues another day and KayKay is very happy.

Anne B McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Performing Artist and Teaching Artist Rosters. See her web site: www.annemckeestoryteller.com