Lord Theodin, Thou Wretched Beast!

In the quiet darkness of early morning, we hear the doggy-door flipping open and closed.

It can only mean one thing.

The Schnauzer is up to no good.

The twins' arrival meant Milton has been demoted yet again in the family pack.

And he is not amused.

Lord Theodin (his current nickname) had become inordinately fond of his morning rambles through the park. He'd come to expect, yea, counted it as his RIGHT, to be taken upon walks. To sniff many a tree. To mark many a territory. To sniff many a doggie-butt.

And now, he's had to console himself with...raiding the trashcans. It's Schnauzer-speak for: I shall not be ignored! I am still important!

His latest foray into the trashcan yielded a stinking, rotting diaper which he enthusiastically tore apart all over the front yard.

Matt was not amused as he scraped shreds of rancid diaper off the patio at 5:00 a.m. Not exactly a relaxing way to start the weekend.

Lucky for Lord Theodin, he is a smallish dog, very good at hiding in smallish places. Places which he knows we cannot reach.

He is also abominably cute, unfailingly loyal and deeply affectionate. One cannot remain angry for long with the wretched beast.

That is, until he decides to help himself to the trashcan again.

Picture by JoAnn Motta @ Affordable Family Photography. If you live in the SoCal area, I HIGHLY recommend her for your next family photo shoot.