As you may know, Joanne and I share a wonderful 11 year old Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle mix) named Charcoal (pictured).  As time went by, a pattern developed that the night shift was my sole responsibility.  

Charcoal spends her somnolent night hogging space on our bed and when Nature calls she hops off the bed and snorts.  Up until recently, that was the opening signal for a contest of wills between us as I would pick her up, whisper to her it was too early to go out and place her down between us.  Usually she took the hint.  However, this routine was sometimes unsuccessfully repeated a number of time consuming and sleep depriving cycles.  

Recently, she hopped off in concert with my own Nature's call and I told myself that I was already up and it was her turn, so I let her out and, lickety-split, she was done and we were back in bed in minutes.  

Realization dawned on me and a whole new routine or culture was born.  Now she calls the nocturnal shots :)

Is there a parable here?