Twiggy is playing by herself today. Lucy is fine but is sleeping and needs her rest. We didn’t want to wake her just for photos.

“Why so glum, chum?”

“Having to play alone is a challenge.”

“You know Lucy needs her rest.”

“I know she needs her rest, but still, it’s more fun with her.”

“Well, you can make due. How about playing with Piggy? She’s new.”

“Yeah, well, we were playing, and all of a sudden, Piggy decided to nap too.”

“Wake her up. She doesn’t need beauty rest.”

You are pretty funny, Dad. She isn’t really asleep. I just got tired of playing with her. So I think I’ll get chuck-it.”

“Now that’s a good idea. You can chase Chuck-it around the house.”

“Humm. All of a sudden, Piggy seems like a better idea.”

“Why? You love to chase Chuck-it.”

I think it might wake Lucy.”

“Aren’t you sweet?”

“Mmmft. tay wizeit parfet.”

“What?”

“Sorry, I said I need to move it to the carpet.”

“Oh. Hard to understand when it’s in your mouth.”

“Yeah. Now that it’s here. I’m not so sure.”

“Well, you’ll have to make a choice. Want me to throw one of them?”

“Hey, that would be great. Toss Piggy, and I’ll fetch her.”

“Happy now?”

“Oh yes. Keep tossing her.”

“Wait a minute, I didn’t sign up for that.”

“But you’ll do it, right?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“So, where are you going?”

“To take a look at this fence that appeared overnight.”

“Oh, brother. Dad puts up that fence so that that annoying dog visitor doesn’t cause you to bark yourself into the ER.”

“I don’t get it.”

He installs the fence when that dog is here so you won’t run on the rocks chasing that dog and hurt yourself.”

“I sort of thought it was a Puma security device. To keep them off the turf.”

“Don’t tell me.”

“Yup, the Puma has caught the scent of the wildebeest. Slowly it turns. Step by step.”

“Okay, so the wildebeest warns the rest of the herd. She lowers her head to make ready to defend her space.

“The Puma is confused and stops. Normally the animals run in fear, but this lone wildebeest is standing her ground.”

“The wildebeest calls to the herd and declares the danger has passed.”

“What do you mean, passed? I’m still a big threat.”

“Not this close to breakfast, you’re not.”

“Good point. I thought that noise was the Puma growling, but now I realize it’s my stomach.”

“The wildebeest makes for the sweet grass and cool water.”

“The Puma decides to make kibble do instead of a nice thick wildebeest steak.”

“Smart cat.”

“Wait, what?”

“What’s up, Little one?”

“Dad printed off a picture of a Wildebeest.”

“Okay. Why so glum?”

“I thought it was going to be an awesome monster.”

“Well, the Wildebeest is pretty fierce.”

“Looks like a skinny water buffalo.”

“Oh, come on. Did you see those razor-sharp horns?”

“Well, I suppose those could be pretty formidable. Let’s go out and find one.”

“I’ll take a stroll and see if I can lure one out.”

“You better be careful. I had a second look, and skinny translates into fast.”

“So far, nothing, Little One.”

“Go into the rocks. Maybe they lurk there.”

Okay, I’m headed that way. Keep your eyes open while I’m gone.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I’m a highly honed watchdog.”

“Hey, who put that flower here?”

“I can’t hear you.”

“Mmm, smells like cloves. Must be a dianthus.”

“Hey, Twiggy. There’s nothing here. Go around to the other side of the house. I thought I heard the sound of hooves.”

“Nothing here, Lucy. I don’t hear anything either.”

“The Wildebeest sniffs the air. She can detect a small animal upwind. Too soon to say if it is the puma. It will be only a matter of time until the battle takes place that will settle the territorial dispute forever.”

“Lucy, what are you doing?”

“Rehearsing, Little One. Just rehearsing.”

 

“Okay, so we are on a hunt. What are we hunting for, Little One?”

“I was thinking it was time to get a new beast.”

“A new beast. Tired of being gored by the water buffalo?”

“Get your horns away from me. No, it’s just we need new prey.”

“Well, okay. Have any beast in mind?”

“I thought I heard a Wildebeest out there.”

“You gotta be kidding me. There are no Wildebeests in Texas.”

“There are water buffalo, I suppose.”

“Yeah, good point. Okay, so what was out there?”

“I’m not sure. Go have a look at the other side. I thought I heard something over there.”

“Sorry, kiddo. Only that pesky squirrel.”

“I would like to get my mouth around that pest for sure.”

“Yeah, good luck on that one. I think I would concentrate on the Wildebeest if I were you.”

“Makes sense. So you think a Wildebeest would make a good victim?”

“I guess it would. Who is going to play that part?”

“Let’s see. If I’m the puma, who do you think?”

“Not sure I have ever been a wildebeest before.”

“For heaven’s sake . How hard could it be? You played a buffalo, and a Wildebeest couldn’t be too much harder than that.”

“I’m going to call my agent before I can commit.”

“Life has just gotten too complex.”

“Hey, Lucy. Why are these weird-looking runners here.”

“Against her better interior decorating sense, mom bought them for me.”

“For you? Why?”

“Well, Little One, I’m having trouble walking on the tile.”

“Trouble? What kind of trouble?”

“We old folks sometimes can’t control slipping.”

“Then what happens?”

“I basically fall down and can’t get up. I’m like a turtle on its back.”

“I thought you were just fooling around. So mom got you something where you wouldn’t slip.”

“Yup, and she laid them in all the hallways and paths I take.”

“Well, they sure look out of place.”

“Mom said it was okay. The important thing is safety.”

“Now you don’t fall down? Want to play tuggy?”

“Geez. Two questions. No, I don’t fall down and don’t want to play tuggy.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Let’s see. I’m on the couch. Half of me is comfortable. What do you think?”

“It is a long shot, but I’m guessing a nap.”

“You surprise me with your clairvoyance, youngster. You are spot on.”

“I think maybe I ought to do the same.”

“No argument from me.”

“So, how did the procedure go, Little One?”

“I’m never speaking to mom again.”

“Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”

“How do you know? You weren’t there.”

“I’ve had my teeth cleaned many times, so I do know.”

“Yeah, but my procedure was the worst.”

“Open your mouth and let me see.”

“There is no way I’m letting you look in my mouth.”

“Okay then, if you won’t let me look, let’s play tag. You’re it.”

“Why am I always it. You should be it sometime.”

“Well, catch me and I will be it.”

“No fair. Your legs are longer. You can move faster.”

“You don’t see me moving at all right now.”

“That could be true, but I think I hear some kibble falling into a bowl.”

“You can forget kibble for a while. You get soft food so you won’t hurt your teeth.”

“Soft food? What kind of soft food?”

“Well, mom takes your kibble and then soaks it in water.”

“Now that sounds horrific.”

“It’s not so bad, and it will feel good on your teeth.”

“I think a nice thick steak would feel better.”

“Of course, I have to wonder, when was the last time you had a steak?”

“Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.”