“Hey, Lucy. Do you want to come up here on the couch you look a little down.”

“To tell you the truth, I wish there was something to play with.”

“I know it is boring when you can’t go outside.”

“Yeah, why can’t we go out?

“For heaven’s sake, Lucy. Can you take a look at the thermometer? It is 30 degrees F out there.”

“Whats that in centigrade?

“You tire me out, Lucy. You really do. We can’t go out there even in our blankets.”

“Why’s that?”

“Pops says the wind chill is too much for his old bones. Look at him. He looks zonked.”

“I heard that. I’m not zonked. Just resting my eyes. Mom is going to take care of you two.”

“What is that, Mom? Looks like a hedgehog.”

“These are pigs you two. Now go and have fun.”

“Hold on Mom. Not sure about this.”

“Okay, I’ll set it on the poof. You take your time.

“Hey, Bailey. Come sniff this thing.”

“Hmm. I don’t know about this funny looking thing. Look at the color.”

“Also check out those beady eyes. The thing gives me the creeps”

“Well, Bailey, there is only one thing to do.”

“What is that, Lucy?”

“Pounce, grab, shake, and kill it”

“Boy, you are an animal for sure.”

“Grrrr.”

“Mowaufff.”

“There, there, little piggy. I’ll protect you from the big bad Great White Shark. Can you oink for me?”

“So Lucy. What do you think about the year? It is almost New Year’s Eve, and I wonder if you have some thoughts about 2017.”

“Boy, Bailey. You are pretty philosophical for a hound.”

“I’m a boxer, not a hound.”

“Just an expression.”

“Back to my question.”

“I’m thinking. I guess I will have to call the year a challenge.”

“How so?”

“Just listen to that hammering. It has been going on for weeks.”

“I know, but it is a sign of progress. We had a Hurricane after all.”

“Not to mention evacuating to Austin.”

“Yeah, that wasn’t so pleasant. But we did avoid the flying siding and stuff.”

“I know. I was glad not to have been here then.”

“Okay, that was the Hurricane. What else?”

“I miss Stella.”

“I know. I do too. She always seemed to have the perfect word for any occasion.”

“Not to mention fun to chase.”

“We have to believe she is happy. She had a long life of love.”

“I agree. Well, in any case, I’m thinking she has a lot of mice that need catching.”

“Excellent thought, Lucy. Let’s keep that vision in mind.”

“Beyond those two events, 2017 was not really a bad year.”

“I have to agree. You know we have it pretty good.”

“I would say.”

“I think I’ll make a resolution for 2018.”

“Okay, what is that? Boy, my eyelids are getting heavy. Might be the thought of making a resolution.”

“Lucy you are such a slug. You know that?”

“How about a little nap before we move to 2018?”

“Okay, I see your point. When we wake up, we need to make our resolutions.”

“Hmm. Oh sure. When we get up, that’ll be the first thing we do. Well, besides a scratch.”

“And a drink of water.”

“And maybe a run in the yard. ZZZZZZZ.”

“Hey, Boss.”

“Hi, Lucy. When you stand there like that, I know there is something on your mind.”

“How do you know I do not just adore you.”

“Um. I would say I just know. So what is the question.”

“Okay, then you caught me. I was wondering if that is Santa on the roof?”

“Santa? What makes you think Santa is on the roof?”

“Tell him, Bailey.”

“Well pops. We hear the pitter patter of pretty heavy deer up there.”

“I’m always amazed how you wake up from a sound sleep and seem to know what’s going on, Bailey.”

“Boss. Come over here and take a look.”

“Lucy. I don’t have to take a look.”

“Lucy’s not kidding, pops. You should see this.”

“Can’t you just tell me?”

“It looks like a bunch of elves delivering long pieces of metal.”

“That’s because they are the roofers, you two. Remember, the hurricane damaged our roof? These guys are fixing it.”

“But so much stuff, Boss. You should see it all.”

“I know, Lucy. They are replacing the whole roof, so there is a lot of stuff to put up there.”

“Can Bailey and I bark at them?”

“That would be a no. Lucy.”

“Beg for treats?”

“No.”