We put up a Christmas tree over the weekend. Normally changes around the house don’t seem to bother A.J., but this time, well, he was a bit … needy.

We went for our usual walk on Monday morning. After lunch I needed to leave to go finish my Christmas shopping. Normally when I leave A.J. alone with Greg during the week, A.J. spends most of his time curled up on the floor behind Greg’s chair in the office. Today was a little different.

After I left, A.J. went into the office as usual. Greg was sitting at his desk, and A.J. walked over and rested his chin on Greg’s left leg. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work. A.J. walked over to the other side of the chair and rested his head on Greg’s right leg. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work. A.J. walked under the desk, stood in front of Greg, and rested his chin on the chair between Greg’s legs. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work.

A.J. finally went behind Greg’s chair and curled up on the floor. Within two minutes, he got up and rested his head on Greg’s left leg. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work. A.J. walked to the other side of the chair and rested his head on Greg’s right leg. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work. A.J. walked under the desk, stood in front of Greg, and rested his chin on the chair between Greg’s legs. Greg petted him for a moment, then went back to work.

A.J. went behind Greg’s chair and curled up on the floor. Within two minutes, he got up and rested his head on Greg’s left leg. And it all started over again.

I’m not sure how many times this process happened. I was gone for four hours and Greg insisted A.J. didn’t leave him alone the entire time. It seems to me that A.J. was feeling a little needy… and A.J. has Greg very well trained.