Hey, Dad. Open the door. I left Cheeseburger out there.”

“Coming, Little one.”

“Thank heavens it’s still here.”

“Who would take Cheeseburger?”

“That delightful aroma? Any number of wild beasts.”

“I don’t think we have wild beasts around here.”

You-have-got-to-be-kidding-me right now. No beasts?”

“Well, I haven’t seen any.”

“Hello. Earth to Dad. That’s because I patrol the perimeter and stop incursions before they happen.”

“I know you were effective but never gave beasts a thought.”

“Like right now. A Rhino is just waiting for me to go inside before breaching the fence.”

“You sure?”

“If there is anything I’m sure of, it’s Rhino scent.”

“Okay, I’ll take your word. How long are you going to keep watch?”

“The shift whistle just blew. The Rhino and I are off for the day.”

“Shift whistle?”

“Yeah, we put in an honest day of hunter and hunted and then knock off.”

“I never knew it was so organized.”

“The Predator and Prey union is pretty strong. Sure has made my life easier.”

“That’s a good thing then.”

“Sure beats sitting out in the cold and dark waiting for a stupid Rhino to make a move.”

“I can see that. The commissary is open.”

“Hope they have salmon sashimi on the menu today. I have my mouth set for that.”

“So, a little sunbath huh?”

“Now that the temps are tolerable, a sun bath is just what I need.”

“It does look comfortable.”

“You have no idea. The stress of modern life can get to ya.”

“Well, you deserve to relax.”

“Sush. What is that noise?”

 

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“Of course not. You have human ears. One step above none.”

“If it’s a danger, I would have heard it.”

“Says the man who routinely allows the FedEx guy onto the porch.”

“So what is it?”

“I’m not sure, but it sounded like a pterodactyl.”

“Those things are extinct.”

“Says the man who never fought a saber-toothed tiger. Now sush. I’m on it.”

“Well?”

“For heaven’s sake. It’s that stupid gecko calling for something.”

“You let him go?”

“Of course. I have better things to do than to bother with an insurance symbol.”

“How do you know it’s not dangerous?”

“Look at him. He changes colors more often than I change my mind. How can that technicolor reptile be dangerous?”

“Where to now?”

“Thought I heard a Rhino by the other gate.”

“You go, girl.”

“Hey, Twiggy, you going to play outside today?”

“Dad, this over 100 degrees is not the best for play.”

“Yeah, I understand. So maybe there is something fun to do inside.”

“One of the best things is a nap.”

“You can always do that. How about playing with chuck-it?”

“That is always fun. Let’s start there.”

“Here you go. A couple of bounces.”

“Hmm. Not sure about this.”

“What’s the matter?”

“It works better in the yard where I have to chase it.”

“We know that. This is an interim accommodation to the weather.”

“I think we should think harder about the accommodation.”

“How about watermelon?”

“Played with that today already.”

“Here is a wide selection. Honey Pot, Mr. Eel, Lamby, and Bee Mine.”

“All good friends, for sure.”

“Yes, good friends. How about good playmates?”

“Hold on, Dad. I have this pesky itch.”

“Where you going?”

“Gonna see if Mom has any ideas. I think we are through here.”

“Hey Twiggy. Whatcha doing?”

“I’m thinking about a sunbath.”

“That sounds great.”

“Yeah, the temperature is below blowtorch. The sun feels good.”

“Sure looks comfortable.”

“Ahh, this is the life.”

“Looks like you shifted.”

“Need a little shade for my face. A girl has to watch her complexion.”

“I didn’t know that was a consideration.”

“Well, one can’t be too careful.”

“How do you find out about things like complexion?”

“I do my research.”

“Well, let me say I’m impressed.”

“You have to stay up with things these days. Did I just hear Mom calling?”

“Yeah, I heard it.”

“She’s not calling from the patio to join her under the umbrella.”

“No, it sounds more like she’s calling from inside.”

“I guess I better find out what she wants.”

“Did you find out what Mom wanted?”

“Look at me. I’m soaking wet.”

“Ah, bathtime.”

“You coulda told me.”

“That would have been a lose-lose move.”

“How about playing with your ball?”

“Give it a toss and I’ll go get it.”

“There you go.”

“I got it.”

“Bring it here, and I’ll toss it again.”

“Not sure I want to chase it.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“Love on it. What else?”

“Why are you at the door?”

“Loving on a ball is an indoor activity.”

“I see. So you are surrounded with comfort.”

“Oh, dad, you are so wise.”

“Does that taste good?”

“Look at this tongue. What do you think?”

“I guess it does.”

“It sure does. Sometimes, there is nothing finer.”

“I’ll take your word. By the Way. We are taking a blog break until next Thursday. I have a family thing to attend.”

“So that is the day I’m here normally, right?”

“Right.”

“So you are taking a blog break until next Thursday.”

“You are so right. Mom staying?”

“Yup.”

“Have fun.”

“Thanks.”

 

“Hey, Twiggy.”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Don’t you think going out and playing would be a good idea?”

“Gee, Dad. It’s so hot out there.”

“Oh, come on. You are a Texas dog. You can take it. Besides, it’s below a hundred right now.”

“Well, if you think it’s okay. Maybe for a little while.”

“Okay, so here you are. What do you think?”

“The heat’s no problem, but what’s with the kaleidoscope?”

“That called dappled sun. Poets go nuts over that stuff.”

“Well, I think it is some kind of trigger. Feels like I’m in a virtual game.”

“It does keep you cooler. Check out where the sun is full strength.”

“I suppose that is a good thing.”

“You suppose? Too much heat is not good.”

“I was hoping to take a sun bath. I’m going up on the porch.”

“This is like Hell’s Back Porch.”

“It does feel good on the bones.”

“Well, it may be good for a bulldog, but as for this human, I’m out of here.”

“You have to know when enough is enough. I’ll take a little more.”

“I hear you knockin’, but you can’t come in.”

“Nice imitation of Fats Domino,  but time to open the door.”

 

“So I have something to tell you.”

“Don’t give me that stuff about going for a ride in the car, which ends up at the vet.”

No, it’s nothing like that.”

“But it is similar in its horrific conclusion.”

“You are drawing the wrong conclusions. It’s a good thing.”

“Nothing good ever comes after the phrase, ‘I’ve got something to tell you.'”

“Well, this is good news. Your Aunt Beth is coming to visit.”

“That is good news. When does she get here?”

“She gets here tomorrow and then will be staying until next Thursday.”

“Wow, that’s a nice long visit. She bringing Jake?”

“No, Jake will be staying home. He doesn’t exactly like to fly.”

“What dog does like to fly. It would have been nice to see him.”

“Yeah, but just not this time.”

“It will be good to see Aunt Beth. I really enjoy trying to bite her nose.”

Yeah, about that. There’ll be no nose biting this trip.”

“I just pretend that I’m going to do it. Drives her crazy.”

“I’m going to tell her to ignore you if you jump at her.”

“Okay, I’ll behave myself. Maybe just a toe nibble.”

“No toes either. There’s another thing.”

“Ah ha, I knew it. It’s the vet, right?”

“No, we are going to take a break while she is here. This will be the last post till next Thursday, the 27th. Going to be off social media as well.”

“Giving the readers a break. A good idea.”