“Tempest. You awake?”

“Just getting there.”

“We need to go out. It’s a beautiful day.”

“What do you want to do out there.”

“There’s our ball. We could play fetch.”

“Yeah, that does sound like fun.”

“What are you sniffing?”

“I’m not sure, but it is a wild thing.”

“Looks like it ran right through here.”

“Yeah. If I didn’t know better, I would say it was a T-Rex.”

“Come on, T-Rex’s have been extinct for centuries.”

“I’m just saying what my nose is telling me.”

“Now I have to ask. When was the last time your nose came in contact with a T-Rex?”

“Okay, you got me. I have never smelled a T-Rex.”

“Could you be picking up the fragrance of Eau de lizard?”

“You know that makes sense. Same scent family.”

“Well, I can tell you it is not a mammal for sure.”

“How do you know?”

Mammals tend to mark their territory. I don’t pick that up.”

“What about fetching the ball?”

“I think we better report to Mom that some kind of lizard is roaming around out here.”

“Will we come back to play ball?”

“Yeah, right after I file my report.”

“Don’t mention the T-Rex, okay?”

“She wouldn’t believe me even if I did.”

“Good.”

“How’s that cot feel, Tempeste?”

“You cannot imagine how warm it is and comfy.”

“This sun is nice, for sure.”

“Why don’t you join me?”

“I like the warm concrete.”

“You would think you were a stray on the street or something.”

“No. It just feels good. It’s like a big hot stone at the spa.”

“You been to a spa?”

“I have not. I think this place has to be a spa, though.”

“It has all the trappings. Good food, no hassles, a guru to show us a better way.”

“Speaking of hassles. What are you doing there?”

“I’m doing a self-imposed massage of my back.”

“I must say you look silly doing it. I’m coming up there.”

“You could try the back message, but I’m afraid you’d never get up.”

“I just love your fat jokes.”

“You must admit being caught on your back is a bit cumbersome.”

“Okay, there is some truth there.”

“I apologize if I hurt your feelings.”

“No hurt feelings. We just have different bodies.”

“For a big-boned person, you do move well.”

“Thanks for that.”

“Tempest. We need to get back to work.”

“Aw, Twiggy. I’m still wanting to nap.”

“I know, but our time off has ended.”

“Just five more minutes with my cookie.”

“If I have to sit on your cookie, we must get going.”

“I guess that is a major thing for sure.”

“Mom is at the store, so we need to get active by the time she gets home.”

“By active, do you mean get ready for the greeting when she returns?”

“Exactly. You know the routine.”

“Yup. Wag the behind, and try not to jump up.  Get all wiggly. Throw the tongue out.”

“You got it. Boy, I forgot how high the couch is.”

“You jump from there, and Mama will have a heart attack.”

“Okay, we’ll wait for the garage door to open.”

“Maybe we should wait on the floor.”

“You know. You surprise me sometimes with your logic.”

“Well, it just makes sense. Also, Mom won’t pass out thinking you will jump.”

“It looks like you are growing up for sure. Okay, let’s go to the floor.”

“Right behind you.”

“We can’t see the car or garage door from here.”

“That’s okay. We still have our supersonic hearing.”

“I hear something right now.”

“It’s gotta be Mom. She’s been gone ten days.”

“She’s been gone twenty minutes, not ten days.”

“Just seems like it is all.”

“Okay, I heard the door. She’s coming.”

“I’m ready.”

 

“Hey Twiggy. Check this out. Twigs on the turf.”

“Yeah, the tent got blown away in the heavy winds last night.”

“Man this is like heaven. There’s tree buds too. I could make a meal.”

“Yeah and present the parents with a technicolor yawn in the morning.”

“You don’t know how good these buds are.”

“I’m not going to find out either. I don’t need a stomach ache.”

“Well suit yourself. I think this tent missing idea is a good one.”

“I heard Mom tell Dad another is on the way.”

“Oh no. How will I ever survive not having a buffet every day?”

“Get over yourself. There are hardly any buds here anyway. Dad uses the leaf blower on them.”

“Maybe if I act like I need those buds to survive, Dad will cancel the tent.”

“I doubt it. He hates to use the blower. Also you ought to get up. No one wants to see your parts.”

“This backrub is swell, you should try it.”

“I enjoy those too. They are much better without a lot of sticks, leaves, and other stuff lying around.”

“I’m beginning to see that a tent might be good after all.”

“There you go. See, there are other things in life besides eating.”

“Okay, let’s not take it too far. Eating is wonderful.”

“I agree if it is wholesome food. Putting everything in your mouth is not the way to go.”

“Hey. I don’t put everything in my mouth. I passed on a black beetle yesterday.”

“That was because he hissed at you.”

“Well, that did play into it I guess.”

“Yeah just a little.”

 

“How’s the sun?”

“You should come out here. It’s nice and warm.”

“This is a nice change from the freezing weather.”

“Yes, it is. I think there is a rabbit out there.”

“I hate to tell you, but the rabbits don’t stay around here.”

“So, what was it I saw?”

“Could be a squirrel. I know it’s not a skunk ’cause they pretty much come out at night.”

“I know what squirrels look like. That was no squirrel.”

“I can tell you by sniffing that it was not a skunk.”

“I don’t know. I am picking up an essence.”

“Might be an olfactory hallucination too.”

“A what?”

“An imaginary scent.”

“That sounds way too cool to be true.”

“Tell you what? I’m going to head in.”

“But you just got here.”

“I know, but I don’t have sunscreen, and I think I hear the call of the kibble.”

“Wait. What is that thing on the house?”

“For heaven’s sake. It is a rake. You’re worse than a horse.”

“You can never be too careful. It looked like something dangerous.”

“Give it up, and let’s get some dinner.”

“Best idea today.”

 

 

 

“Not sure going outside to play is a good idea, Tempeste.”

“Why not? Looks okay to me.”

“Mom took me for a walk earlier and it was cold.”

“Cold? Since when does Texas cold bother us?”

“This was a little bit colder than Texas cold. It was freezing.”

“Hey Dad. How cold is it out there?”

“Right now it is 22 degrees Fahrenheit  ( Minus 5.5 C) Feels like 2 degrees F (minus 16.6 C)”

” Well that does seem a little colder than we are use to.”

“I wouldn’t plan on spending too much time out there.”

“Okay Dad. We appreciate the advice.”

“Well Tempeste. What do you think?”

“Hold on. Wait till Dad is out of ear shot.”

“Yeah he’s gone. What do you think?”

“I say a couple of sweaters and we are good to go. I’m going to have a look see.”

“How does it look?”

“Would you believe there is snow on the neighbor’s roof?”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m not kidding. There are flurries blowing around. I think Dad is right. Let’s hit the couch.”

“Sometimes that old guy knows what he is talking about, Twiggy.”

“I’m just glad he doesn’t put us to work or something.”

“Work? Whats that?”

“The curse of the sleeping class.”

 

“Yes, mom. Twiggy and I are here playing.”

“Go on out there. She is looking for us.”

“Okay, Mom. I’ll tell her.”

“Tell me what?”

“Mom says not to rub the chairs and to play nice.”

“The only reason the chairs are facing out is so you won’t jump on the table.”

“Do you know how much fun it is to land in the center?”

“The last time you had that bowl of roses all over the place.”

“I’m going to shake some sense into Crabbie.”

“That crab has no sense, so good luck.”

“You want to trade toys?”

“Mmm. I’m happy with this one.”

“What, Mom? Yes, we are playing together.”

“That’s pretty funny. We aren’t even close to playing together.”

“Well, we could if you would share that doll.”

“I’m almost finished with it.”

“So I can play with it?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Wow. It looks pretty wet.”

“You know how it is with toys and mouths.”

“Okay. What did you have for breakfast? Whale?”

“You saying it’s funky?”

“It smells days old. Where are you going?”

“Out to get Crabbie.”

“That will be a no. I just can’t let you do that.”

“Alright, I’ll leave Crabbie alone if you stop tickling me.”

“Say, Uncle.”

“No way.”

“Look at this stuff, Twiggy.”

“It’s snow, Tempeste.”

“Where has it been my whole life?”

“It only falls every few years here.”

“Look, you can pick up the chunks and eat it.”

“That makes it fun. Low calorie, too.”

“Well, some of us who are sleek and in fighting condition don’t have to worry.”

“You calling me fat?”

“Never. Big-boned, maybe.”

“Very funny. We are examples of different body styles.”

“Okay. I’m going to grab more of these pieces.”

“This tent is nice for keeping the snow off the turf.”

“Yeah, but it is much more fun out in it.”

“Makes my paws cold.”

“Oh, come on. Don’t be a wimp.”

“Okay, you go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Watch my leap. When do you think we can use the whole yard?”

“When you stop eating leaves and acorns.”

“I’m working on that. Yipee, look at me.”

“You are a sight for sure.”

 

“I love this stuff.”

“You can continue, but I must warm up a little.”

“Okay, Grandma. You just rest on the porch.”

“I’ll just do that, youngster.”

“I do think it might be time to go in.”

“This water bottle is frozen. It is definitely time to go in.”

“Maybe some hot cocoa.”

“Dogs don’t drink cocoa. It is bad for us.”

“Maybe just a smell then.”

“Ask Mom.”

“Ah, it looks like the sun is heading South.”

“I thought the sunset in the West.”

“It does. I was just making my own imagery of how it seems to go down.”

“Oh, I get it. It’s like when you say this game is going South.

“You have it for sure. Speaking of games, is there anything you want to play?”

“I think it’s getting close to dinner. Besides, I hear the gentle rumble of the UPS van. He is within a couple of miles.”

“I think I hear him too. This is serious stuff if he thinks he can stop here.”

“It has been a while since we taught him a lesson.”

“Are you picking up the same vibe I am?”

“You mean the going away vibe instead of the coming to vibe?”

“Exactly. How could this happen? What were we doing that we missed the coming to?”

“We were flapping our gums, that’s what. Can’t hear when we are talking.”

“Look at that. The package is even in the house. Two losers.”

“You know what? I think this sucker was delivered earlier while we were napping.”

“Let me take a sniff. Yeah, this has day-old cardboard stench all over it.”

“You mean it might have been delivered at night?”

“I do pick up the essence of the night. I think you’re right.”

“Let me up on it. I’ll give it the once over.”

“Do you get that night’s wildness finish?”

“I do. I think Mom just brought this into the house. That night’s wildness is pretty strong.”

“I’ll tell ya. I must be getting old to let a night delivery go by without throwing a barking fit could wake the dead.”

“Don’t be too tough on yourself. I missed it, too.”

“But you are a beginner. I have the Olympic medal for barking and the ability to sense even the quietest package delivery.”

“Maybe we need to hone our skills. It’s clear the UPS guy has gone to school on past deliveries.”

“You just may be right. Let’s talk after dinner.”