“Lucy what are you doing?”

“Look to your right, little one.”

“What is that?”

“It is a big bird called a heron.”

“Can we chase it?”

“OMG no. The boss has a fit. He thinks the birds ought to be left alone.”

“I can certainly understand that. He’s a softy for animals.”

“Not so loud he’s right behind us.”

“You don’t suppose he understands dog do you?”

“Comes pretty close.”

“What are we doing now?”

“This is a gopher mound. We dig in it like Idiots hoping t catch a gopher.”

“Do we?”

“Never.”

“Why you stopping?”

“Look there is a signpost up ahead.”

“With another heron.”

“Man you learn fast. nice job.”

“Will that heron fly off there?”

“Of course. When he gets hungry.”

“We should go there and wait.”

“Remember what I said about the boss?”

“I remember. Maybe I’ll just hunt for seashells.”

“Yeah, there may be some around here. The boss wants us back to the golf cart.”

“Hey Lucy, look. A dog on a leash.”

“Yeah, that is pretty common.”

“I’ll give him my pit bull bark.”

“You do that. I’m sure he is quivering in the sand.”

“Now my mountain lion face.”

“Be careful. Your face may freeze like that. I’m sure glad the boss is back. We are heading home.”

“How was the beach, Little stuff.”

“It was great. I got to dig in a gopher mound.” What is Lucy looking at?”

“Oh, she does that whenever the dog across the street starts barking.”

“Why does she do it?”

“She says she is giving that dog a greedy look in her brain. It is supposed to stop the barking.”

“Obviously doesn’t work. We missed you at the beach.”

“Thank, little stuff. Someday I’ll play on the beach all day.”

 

 

 

“How about a game of fetch, Twiggy?”

“Not so sure. Let me jump on the couch.”

“Um if Lucy will play I will play.”

“Okay. Let’s see what Lucy says.”

“Hmm. A little late I would say.”

“How about Bailey?”

“A little late there too Dad.”

“Okay no fetch. What else?”

“How about we see who can keep their eyes closed the longest.”

“Hey, that’s a trick parents play not the other way around.”

“Fraid you lose, Boss.”

“I wasn’t playing.”

“Go ahead and work on your post, Dad. I’ll just catch a few winks.”

“You guys need to be doing something other than sleeping.”

“How about I test this fine couch. I’ll give you a full report.”

“That is not exactly what I had in mind.”

“I can tell you this bed is first rate.”

“I’m sure Twiggy. I’m sure.”

“Hi, Lucy. Why so glum?”

“Twiggy is under the sofa and won’t play with me.”

“Oh, I’m sure she is resting or something.”

“She says she is tired of playing”

“Tired? What’s that about?”

“We were running around pretty hard.”

“Well, there you are. She is tired. Give her some time.”

“You think so, Boss? I hope she isn’t coming down with something.”

“Twiggy. Come out of there and let’s have a discussion.”

“Good girl, Lucy. She will listen to you.”

“I don’t feel like playing, Lucy I need a little rest.”

“But we can take it a little slower.”

“Any ideas Bailey?”

“I’d get a treat and lure her out.”

“Okay. The rest is over. Here I am.”

“How about we do tug of war?”

“We can play whatever you want, Little stuff.”

“Aw. Thank you, Lucy.”

“I’m glad you feel better. I know we play a little hard sometimes.”

“It’s okay. I love playing with you.”

“I thought we were going to play.”

“How about we play I SPY with our eyes closed.”

“But you won’t be able to see anything.”

“I know Little Potato, but we can pretend.”

“Hey, you two. Time to rise and shine.”

“Wha— Ah Boss. Whats going on?”

“Yeah, dad. Today was supposed to be a sleep all day day.”

“It is official it is Twiggy tries out a leash day.”

“Lucy you and Bailey are going on your walk with Mom as usual. Twiggy, you stay with me.”

” Gives me time with this ball.”

“Then we are going to meet Mom at the beach.”

“Hey look, Dad. There’s mom with Lucy and Bailey. Why didn’t I get to walk the whole way?”

“You are too little, and it is too hot.”

“Bailey, Lucy. I missed you guys so much.”

“Yeah, we missed you too, Little Stuff.”

“How long were we gone, Bailey? A half hour?”

“The little ones don’t have a concept of time, Lucy. No use damping her enthusiasm.”

“Hey. Twiggy. We are heading home.”

“Okay, Lucy. Say what is that below the boardwalk?

“Sand.”

“Sand? What is sand?”

“Ground up seashells, quartz, feldspar, and mica.”

“Maybe I learn what those are later.”

“You don’t need to worry, Twigs. There is a lot of time to learn.”

“Aw, you are so kind, Lucy.

“Why can’t I get Dad to walk faster.”

“Well, he kind of likes to take his time and don’t tell him I said so but he’s getting older.”

“I thought so.”

“How did your trip to the vet go, Bailey?”

“Real good, Little stuff. My teeth got a nice cleaning.”

“Can I look?”

“Sure. See how white?”

“You do look good. Mom keeps bothering me with a toothbrush.”

“You should feel glad she does.”

“Why?”

“The more brushing at your age, the less trouble later.”

“We are the three Caballeros.”

“Uh. You have to be a male to be a Caballero, Twiggy.”

“Oh. What can we be then?”

“We can be the three Senoritas. Of course in Lucy’s case, it may be more Senora.”

“Very funny Bailey.”

“I say the three Senoritas.”

“You got it Little Stuff. The three Senoritas it is.”