with John W. Howell
“Mmmmfgehhn.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Tempeste. I’ll wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July.”
Comments are turned off. We hope you enjoy our Nation’s birthday.
Also, I will be taking some days off until next Thursday.
“Okay, you two. I want a nice photo to put on the blog.”
“What do we do?”
“Look at Twiggy, Tempeste. I want you to stand next to her and smile.”
“What is that yellow thing in Mom’s hand?”
“No, Tempest. Go stand next to Twiggy.”
“But I want to see what it is.”
“Okay, it’s a stuffed peeper. Go to the console table and stand there.”
“This is cute. Is it new?”
“It’s not new. We have had it for a while. Twiggy, look at me.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Go over to the console by the peeper and take Tempest with you.”
“I’m not sure she will cooperate.”
“That’s okay. I’m sure if you go there, she will follow.”
“Hey, Mom. What’s that thing over there?”
“It’s the closet door, Tempeste. Now go and join Twiggy.”
“The panther stalks the puma. Step by step.”
“Can we get you two to turn this way and face the camera?”
“I don’t know Dad. Did you see that panther stalking me?”
“Looks like this session is over.”
“But the panther is thinking of taking down the mighty puma.”
“Alright, panther. You have messed with the wrong puma.”
“Talk is big, puma ole pal. Let’s see what you got.”
“Thanks, Girls. We’ll try this another time.”
“Hey Tempeste. Leave that hose alone, and let’s get in the pool.”
“There’s water dripping out of here.”
“Not as much as in this pool.”
“It’s so hard to leave a dripping hose.”
“Okay, now that you are in, move over and let me in, too.”
“Let me get this ball first.”
“You can’t pick that one up. Your mouth isn’t big enough.”
“I’m beginning to see what you mean.”
“I wish I had a treat for every bit of advice I’ve offered.”
“It’s all appreciated too.”
“Why don’t you try this smaller ball?”
“Cause the big one looks like more fun.”
“I’ll give you that. It does look more fun.”
“Are you ever getting in?”
“A girl has to get used to the water. That takes time.”
“What am I, chopped liver?”
“Hey, Twiggy. What you got there?”
“It’s a butterfly.”
“I’ve got this special Martian.”
“What makes it special?”
“He flies. See.”
Uh-huh. I can see that.”
“Of course, he sometimes gets lost.”
“Look behind you.”
“Oh my gosh. There he is.”
“Amazing.”
“Oh no, you don’t, Mr. Martain. No more flying today.”
“Good to keep those kids reined in.”
“What’s reined in mean?”
“Under control.”
“I have him under control for sure.”
“It does look that way.”
“You want to play with him?”
“No, I’m still working on this butterfly.”
“Okay, then. I’ll take him for a walk.”
“Don’t get lost.”
“Do you have to stand over me like that?”
“You taught me that this is the winner’s stance.”
“Well yeah, I did. I may have made a mistake.”
“I don’t think so. This seems like a great move.”
“I think I’ve lost the feeling in my hindquarters.”
“That’s silly. You look fine to me.”
“Are you a doctor?”
“Of course not. I’m just saying everything looks like it’s supposed to look.”
“Well I feel numb.”
“Can you wiggle your toes?”
“Yes.”
“Then you are good to go another round.”
“Isn’t the referee supposed to count to three or something?”
“Are you saying I won?”
“As much as I hate to admit it. Yes, you won.”
“Look at you. The teacher has taught the student well.”
Wait a minute. What are you doing?”
“Nap time, right?”
“See that huge bed to the right. That’s yours.”
“Not as cozy. Come on, just for a little while.”
“Ten minutes tops.”
“I’ll take it.”
“What is that thing, Twiggy?”
“It is a human made little piece of heaven.”
“I don’t get it. What do you mean, piece of heaven?”
“These are bubbles. More fun than anything. You chase and pop them.”
“One just landed and popped on its own.”
” You have to get them while they are still in the air.”
“There’s two more.”
“I got the high one. You get that slow one coming in.”
“This one is in my sights. Easy peasy. Where do they come from?”
“Mom is over there with a magic wand and solution. No more questions. Just go for it.”
“A little boost, and I’ve got this one.”
“Atta girl. They won’t last all that long, so we need to make fun while they’re here.”
“That is some move.”
“I call this a backward twist. Really fakes ’em out.”
“I’m lined up. Target in sight. Big deep breath.”
“Good idea. Okay, now take your time. This one’s yours.”
“It’s so pretty. Look at all the colors. I don’t want it to go.”
“Well done, Little One. Now bite it before it pops.”
“It popped.”
“They are very delicate.”
“At least it lived its own life. Are there any more?”
“Mom has packed it in. They will be back another day.”
“Thanks for the lessons. You are right. This is fun.”
“Next time, you’ll know what to do. I hear the roar of dinner. Let’s go.”
“Tempeste. What are you doing?”
“Looking for crumbs.”
“You have to believe there are none around here.”
“So I’m finding out. I’ll keep looking, though.”
“Suit yourself. Believe me, I’ve been over this place with a fine-toothed comb.”
“Fine-toothed comb? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ve looked carefully, and there are no crumbs.”
“Shoot. There goes the morning.”
“Where you going?”
“Since It’s raining, maybe a nap would be good.”
“That does seem like a good idea.”
“Um. I’m not so sure. This bed is not very cozy.”
“May not be cozy, but it sure is soft.”
“Yeah, I can feel that. Maybe too soft.”
“How could a bed be too soft?”
“Sometimes, when I sleep wrong, I get a crick. I think it is from a soft bed.”
“I have never heard of sleeping wrong, let alone a crick.”
“You have to believe that it happens to me.”
“You kids these days. A crick, indeed. Follow me.”
“Where are we going?”
“To my nice Serta Perfect Sleeper dog bed. It is a no-crick zone.”
“You would let me use your bed?”
“We can’t have you going around with a crick.”
“You’re the best.”
“Why did Mom let us out in the yard?”
“So we can run and play together. Besides, she picked up all the leaves.”
“What is that fencing doing there?”
“That is to keep you from eating leaves on the other side.”
“How about a race.”
“Okay, I’ll race you to the other fence.”
“Hey, no fair. You are bigger and faster.”
“Also heavier, I might point out.”
“Okay, then I’ll race you back.”
“Hey, I didn’t even get a chance to run.”
“And you don’t get a chance either.”
“Okay, you win this one.”
“The panther and the puma sniff the ground looking for prey.”
“That is a nice story.”
“The panther decides to take out the puma.”
“I have to say the panther has a nice spring.”
“Time to give up Miss Puma.”
“You have not seen my secret move.”
“Come on. Show me the move.”
“Maybe when you get bigger.”
Aw, come on. Cough it up.”
“You are not old enough for my move.”
“I will keep bugging you until you show me the move.”
” I must say you are becoming very persuasive.”
“Whoa. What was that?”
“That dear heart was the move.”
“Can you show me again?”
“You have got to be kidding me.”
“No, I would like to see it again.”
“I think you should quit while you’re ahead.”
“This is so exciting, Twiggy. A walk.”
“Yes, I’m always happy to take a walk.”
“Look at that grass over there.”
“One rule of walking is not to go off by yourself.”
“Thanks for the tip. What happens if we do wander?”
“You could get the yank of your life.”
“What is a yank?”
“Um, that’s where Mom corrects your direction. It is not a good thing.”
“So, how about if I protect you by holding your leash?”
“I really don’t need protection since I have learned how to walk on a leash.”
“It may be fun to see what Mom does when I walk you.”
“I’m sure she won’t be entertained. Let’s switch sides.”
“We can just switch when we want?”
“As long as we keep going forward, Mom’s okay with it.”
“You are the best, Twiggy. I appreciate all your help.”
“Don’t worry, Little One. I have your back. Let’s switch again.”
“Okay, I’m moving forward.”
“I like your stride. You look very disciplined.”
“I have to take two steps to your one.”
“I know. It’s the hardship of still being a puppy.”
“Look at this. There is a leaf on the road.”
“Okay, time to turn around. I don’t want to be near you when Mom sees you try for a leaf.”
“I love leaves.”
“That’s what gets you in a playpen. No eating leaves.”
“Hey, Twiggy. I’ve been watching some WWF wrestling.”
“Okay. It is always good to get some experience.”
“Yeah, but I need to put what I’ve learned into practice.”
“Don’t tell me you have found someone to practice with?”
“Not really. I thought I would be able to practice with you.”
“Yeah, I was being facetious. Of course, you want to practice with me.”
“What does facetious mean.? Does that mean yes?”
“It means I was more or less kidding you.”
“Oh please, practice with me.”
“Dear Lord, I know I will regret this. Okay, I will.”
You’re the best. The first is the neck hold.”
“Yeah, I can hardly move.”
“Then there is the step-over-head grip.”
“Your foot is in my eye.”
Oh sorry. How’s this half-body slam treating you?”
“I’m powerless.”
“Now the full-body slam. I’ve got you pinned.”
“Yes, you do. One…Two. ..three.”
“What does one, two, three mean?”
“You pinned me, and you won.”
“Where you going?”
“I need to go to the showers and shake off my defeat.”
“There is always a rematch.”
“I’m sure of that.”
