I’m responding a little late about the effect of daylight saving time on my dogs and cats.

We have 3 cats and 2 Shelties. Both Shelties are close in age, only 8 1/2 months apart, but Java takes seriously the responsibility of being the oldest.

On Saturday, Apr 2nd, as on so many weekend mornings before that, Java woke us up at 4am with his sharp little bark. It’s a bark that demands attention. He wants to go outside and then he wants to be fed breakfast. We sometimes feel he thinks he’s the “union rep” who must make sure breakfast is served on time everyday. During the work week, my husband gets up at 4:30, or so, and Java’s demands are satisfied.

So, on Sunday, Apr 3rd, the first day of the time change, we expected to hear his sharp little bark at 5am. After all, the clocks would be “jumping” ahead an hour, right?

But what we didn’t count on was the atomic clock receiver embedded in Java’s brain. On Sunday he barked his sharp little bark at 3:45am PDT!

Our other Sheltie, Linus, and our cats (Modem, Smoke and Webster) all stumbled into the kitchen with question marks hanging over their heads. They didn’t turn down the food but they didn’t understand why they were being fed so early.

I wonder now, in October when we gain that hour back, will Java give it back, too? Somehow I doubt it.