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Rise and Shine: How My Dog’s Bark Beats the Monday Blues
Allen Rippy, Veterinarian, Author
Aug 11, 2025
6 min read
Mornings are hard. Mondays are brutal. The alarm clock may scream, but my brain stays buried under the covers, clinging to that last shred of dreamland. The weight of the workweek ahead presses down before my feet even touch the floor.
And then—there’s my dog.
Before my second snooze button attempt, I hear the first bark. Not aggressive. Not impatient. Just… a nudge. A canine reminder that the day won’t wait for me. A few seconds later, it’s followed by the unmistakable sound of toenails tap-tapping across the hardwood floor. The next thing I know, a cold nose is pressing into my hand, as if to say, “We’ve got this. Let’s move.”
It’s our “morning barking routine.” He barks, I groan. I mutter about coffee, he tilts his head like he’s already caffeinated. He stretches, I stretch. And somehow, without planning it, we’ve become each other’s wake-up coaches. He motivates me to get out of bed; I motivate him to start his own doggy version of a morning workout—tail wags, window patrol, and a quick lap around the yard.
Research shows that dogs can help regulate our daily routines, reduce stress, and give us a purpose to start the day. For me, he’s more than a pet—he’s my personal trainer, accountability partner, and cheerleader rolled into one furry package.
Mondays still aren’t easy, but now, instead of battling them alone, I face them with my four-legged co-pilot. His bark isn’t just a noise—it’s an invitation to rise, move, and greet the world together.
Because no matter how heavy the week feels, nothing starts better than two friends—one human, one dog—choosing to get up and go.