“What are you doing, Twiggy?”

“I thought I would wake Lucy, and we could go outside and play.”

“Come on, you and I will go out.”

“You want to run and let me chase you?”

“I’m pretty sure you could catch me in an instant.”

“Okay. There was a ball down there last time I checked. We could play ball.”

“Good idea. The ball is right behind you.”

“I’m not talking about the soccer ball. There is a green ball.”

“I don’t see a green ball.”

“Well, see that is the ball Lucy and I like to play with. Why won’t she come out?”

“It is New Year’s Eve, and Lucy is resting up for the big show.”

“Show? What show?”

“At midnight, there is a big ball that drops in Times Square, signaling that a New Year has arrived.”

“Can’t people just look at their watch to know it is after midnight? Okay, throw the soccer ball, and I’ll chase it.”

“Hmmm. Come to think about it, that is some distance. If I’m going to stay up till midnight, I will need to rest too.”

“So you aren’t going to get the ball.”

“Nah. I think I’ll join Lucy.”

“Well I hope you rest up you two. We certainly want to make sure 2020 is gone.”

“So, dad. I thought there would be something cooking by now.”

“Yeah, Boss. Where’s the turkey vibe?”

“We are having a small breast this year. It doesn’t have to start this early”

“But there will be one, right?”

“Yes, not to worry, you two. There will be turkey and all the trimmings. We even have the Steelers on TV today.”

“Well, then we should wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from our house to theirs.”

“I couldn’t have said it better, Twiggy.”

“Thanks, Lucy.”

“So Lucy, you think we can help Dad with these leaves?”

“Yeah, what’s so hard? After all, the old boy is not getting any younger.”

“I don’t know. We don’t have any equipment.”

“Well, I think we just have to do what we do best.”

“Okay, I’m looking for the squirrel.”

“No, I meant to use our paws. We are good at that. We can get these leaves into a pile.”

“The minute I turn my back, you hit the sunbath. Why are you laying down?”

“What? I can’t hear you from here.”

“I think after all its work, it’s time for a lounge.”

“What? I can’t hear you from here.”

“Yes, indeed. Shade, lounge. If only that cabana guy would come around.”

“I heard the word cabana. I’ll be right there.”

“This could use a little fluffing. Ah, just right.”

“I’m almost there. Got drinks?”

“No, I don’t have drinks. You know how wretched the help is at this place.”

“Whew. That is a long walk. I could use some shade.”

“Take my lounge. I’m going to meditate with my hot rock friends.”

“Better be careful. I’m not sure if your butt is one of the seven chakras.”

“Do you even know what a chakra is?”

“Don’t make me laugh. Of course, I know. They are points of energy.”

“Time of meditation is over. Time to go back to the issue of the leaves.”

“We do not have an opposable thumb. That’s our out. No one would expect us to actually do work.”

“I can say sitting in the sun is a lot better than raking leaves. What about Dad getting older.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about him. One year of his life is like seven of ours. He has the advantage of being a slow cooker. Let’s just say we tried.”

“I thought I saw the ball out there, Lucy. You see it?”

“It’s not here, Little one.”

“You sure? I could have sworn it was there somewhere.”

“Still don’t see it.”

“What’s that green thing by your butt?”

“OMG. It wasn’t there a few minutes ago.”

“Well, it’s there now. Mmmm, this sun feels good.”

“Yeah, take a break. You have been working too hard today.”

I’ll tell ya. After that cold snap, this feels so nice.”

“This is my kind of living, Little Potato.”

“Of course there is that confounded squirrel, Lucy. Uh, Lucy?”

“I can’t hear you, Little One. I’m on the hunt.”

“What is it?”

“Not sure. It growled like a grizzly but smells like a possum.”

“Well, that was sure anti-climatic.”

“Not every day brings the big game, Little one.”

“How about I wait out here until it comes back. If it ever does.”

“Yeah, you do that. Not sure, but I think I heard a kibble bag rustle. Let me know if you hear something.”

“You always pull that kibble thingy. All right, I’m coming with you.”