My home is strategically placed in between two of the top contenders for Barker of the year. Each contestant practices both late at night and early in the morning. Sometimes, (whenever I need to take a nap) practice is held during the middle of the day.

I have to say that one of the contestants usually defers to the other late at night, letting them have center stage, but sometimes, they both warm up their vocal chords and let 'er rip.

I'm not exactly sleeping soundly anyway, due to the absence of one husband for almost three weeks now. I've resorted to taking drugs (lots of them) but the vibrations of the barking reaches into my drug induced coma and shakes me into conscienceness.

It's not only the sound that wakes me, it's my mind... Why are they barking? Is there a shadowy figure waiting to break into my warm home and take all of my nic naks? Is there a bad storm out there? Will my roof blow off? How will I pay my bills? (that's another middle of the night fear)

Needless to say, I'm a little punch drunk and weary. I need to sleep! No time, I'm off to pick up the trophy for the winner!