Of dogs & affection

Spike. I wake up most mornings with a wet-nosed kiss from this one. He doesnt lick cos hes very shy & timid..but if i refuse to wake up, he jumps onto my bed & prances around until i do...or mum shoos him away..either way, am up.
Jumbo. i've been tryin to get d idea into his head that he neednt get physically abusive each tym he decides to show some affection. He's ur average very heavy lab. his cheerful lil' body slams & knock downs used to leave me on d ground with a " what did i ever do to u???". but things have started to change. hes managed to master d 'sit' command- n i've learned to use it for every out-of-control situation.
like when i go pet him wen hes already chained... the deal goes lyk this- sit down with ur "arms" down or no petting. after puttin me thru a series of loud, ear drum-shatterin complaints, he finally gives in.
i bend dwn & fondle his flappy ears. Overcome by emotion, he puts one sharp-clawed paw on my arm. When i say "Jumbooooooo..." he gives me a "mummy, puhleeezz" luk...n on a firmer "JUMBOOOOO..." he reluctantly withdraws it...leavin me wid 4 stripes of red..yh, i nevr said things were always pretty..
den d dog who runs d show....Blacky d mongrel, d communist - doesnt bark at beggars, but does so persistently at those who land in big cars... d egotist, who till recent tyms thot i ws below him in d hierarchy of our household..he doesnt believe in d concept of display of affection. . he hasnt understood in all these 9 yrs why his fellowkind insist on makin fools of themselves...
however, he does enjoy human company once in a while & in such instances u'll see him give a slow wag wid his tail.. he also likes to b right in d middle of any family gathering, naturally being THE dog of d house his presence is most important and he quite understands....