The following morning, Harold arose feeling a bit less bored by the monotony of the day before him. He reflected upon the slight miracle of Brightside taking out the trash and was curious to discover what additional helpful chores his four-legged roommate was capable of. It was time for Harold to embark on his ritualistic morning routine that prepared his person to sit alongside others on the pathways to places of work.
Harold allotted himself a one-hour window from alarm clock to keys locking his front door as he departed for his spot in commuter traffic each morning. An elaborate breakfast did not fit into this time slot and early sustenance typically paired down to coffee, toast, and a banana. As Harold poured himself a cup of instant french roast, he looked over at his pet with a degree of uncertainty, “Brightside, it would be so wonderful if I could shower and return to the kitchen to enjoy a full breakfast.” The dog attentively looked up at Harold and licked his nose. This was Harold’s cue to fill Brightside’s bowl with kibble. After loading up the dog bowl with a large scoop, Harold headed back upstairs for morning hygiene and to compose his business casual outfit of the day.
Transitioning from the shower to drying off to brushing his teeth, Harold picked up a peculiar smell in the air. His coffee cup stood empty, and he skipped toast while in the kitchen. Still, a subtle scent lingered, but he couldn’t quite place it. Perhaps a pile of dirty clothes next to the overstuffed laundry basket was releasing manly musk in his direction. As Harold swiftly dressed and reached the top of the stairs, the realization struck him: “That’s bacon!” Entering the kitchen, Harold looked past the counter, and on the table in the dining room nook there was a plate full of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon! Harold’s body was frozen. He called out, “Hello, who’s here?” Brightside announced his presence near the table with two barks and one whimper, as if to say, ‘Dig in, before it gets cold.’
There was no need for lunch at the office. Harold was thoroughly energized by the hearty breakfast Brightside had prepared in the early hours. On his first coffee break, Harold could barely believe the banana walnut muffin Brightside had lovingly packed into his computer bag. After work, Harold diverged from his normal route home to make a special stop at Sniff Snuff Canine Boutique. He wanted to purchase a special treat for his exceptional morning chef. He selected a free-range, ethically raised, hickory-smoked ostrich bone, and was quite eager to present this long-lasting delicacy to Brightside.
Upon entering his suburban abode, Harold was greeted by the delightful aroma of basil and cured Spanish chorizo. At the table, his portion awaited him on a holiday plate, the luxurious plates with blue edging and floral gold banding, which Harold received as a gift from his parents but never used. At the center of the table there was a large casserole dish overflowing with pasta, in case Harold was interested in seconds. The main course was complemented by a creamy balsamic chopped salad with feta cheese served in a richly grained black walnut bowl. Harold handed the ostrich bone over to Brightside and took a seat. He marveled at the mouthwatering meal and began to devour the culinary masterpiece to ambient sounds of Brightside’s rhythmic grinding of the oversized bone. Surely there would be ample leftovers for the next day’s lunch and a tasty topper for Brightside’s kibble. Aside from the minor mistake of setting the table with the dishes reserved for special occasions, the meal was just perfect. Harold was confident that Brightside would fix the small error with his next meal.
After dinner Harold headed upstairs to tackle his Mount Vesuvius of laundry before it overran his bathroom and bedroom. But Brightside had tackled it for him. No dirty clothes strewn about the floor. An isolated empty hamper. All was neatly folded and stowed away in its rightful place. Only Harold’s Turkish waffle weave bathrobe and moisture-wicking modal pajamas remained, elegantly draped upon his freshly made bed, as though he were a guest in the presidential suite of a five-star hotel.
By the following week, Harold found himself relieved of all household duties, such as collecting the mail, paying bills, managing dry cleaning, and supervising pest control contractors with the incessant ants feasting upon seasonal termites. The domestic reins now rested securely in Brightside’s capable paws.
