The DOOM Spaniels

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY [Image Description: Merlin, a buff cocker spaniel, lays on his back. If you don't rub that belly you are heartless, heartless.]

At least a couple of times a week, I try to get more photos of Merlin, and PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT

But, see, they all come out like this. If I rub too much his body wiggles and it comes out fuzzy. If I *stop* rubbing, he flails his little foots, and it comes out fuzzy.

But the belly rubs are the important part… especially with a dog who didn’t know he COULD ask for belly rubs, for a long time. So someday I may get decent photos again, but for now I don’t stress. Merlin is a happy puppy. That makes me smile.

[Image Description: Merlin, a buff cocker spaniel, lays upside down with a person’s hand on his chest. The photo is out of focus.]

HELLO I LOVE YOU WE WILL CUDDLE NOW YES LIKE THAT JUST LIKE THAT NO WAIT PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY YES ON THE BELLY NOW NOW [Image Description 1: Merlin, a buff cocker spaniel, lays facing the camera. He has on paw pleadingly on my arm. His Spaniel Eyes are wide and expectant. Image Description 2: Merlin has rolled over, still gripping my arm with his forepaw, but pressing his back against me for cuddles. His eyes are slightly glazed with delight. Image Description 3: Merlin has rolled further over and used that forepaw to push my hand onto his belly. He looks toward the camera, totally blissed out.]

HELLO I LOVE YOU PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY [Image Description: Merlin, a buff cocker spaniel, lays upside-down in my lap, over a patterned burgundy blanket. My hand is rubbing his chest. One of Merlin’s forelegs is pressing the hand in place. He is looking directly into the camera, with a happy, glazed expression.]

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY Merlin fell asleep between us, while demanding that we both rub his belly and ears. [Image Description: Merlin, a buff cocker spaniel, sleeps on his back on a burgundy blanket. Merlin is propped up against something under the blanket at an odd angle, with his hind feet braced against something else under the blanket. Merlin's forelegs hang in the air with relaxation.]

PUT! THE! CUDDLES! ON! THE! BELLY!

PUT! THE CUDDLES! ON! THE BELLY!

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT

PUT THE CUDDLES ON THE BELLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT.