“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.”

 

“So Lucy. Pay attention to me.”

“I thought I heard a UPS truck out there.”

“There’s no truck out there. That’s another golf cart going by.”

“I guess you’re right. Okay, what do you want to do?”

“How about if you tell me a story?”

“A story, huh. I can do that. Once upon a time, there were three dogs.”

“Very cool cause we are three dogs.”

“Yes and these three dogs all lived in the same house.”

“It is getting better since we all live in the same house.”

“Then one day a giant came to the house and said. ‘Fe Fi fo fum, I smell the blood of a Frenchie bum.”‘

“Wait a minute. Why would he single out a Frenchie? There are two boxers. Why a Frenchie?”

“You’ll just have to wait until the end of the story to find out. May I continue?”

“Gosh. I suppose. I just don’t get the single out the Frenchie thingy.”

“So the giant demands to know where the Frenchie is hiding.”

“You won’t tell him will you?”

“It’s just a story, Twiggy. So the Giant goes through the house until he finds the Frenchie”

“Oh no. Then what happens?”

“The giant gives the Frenchie a big ole bone.”

“A Big bone you say?”

“Yup and the dogs live happily ever after.”

“Lucy. You are the best.”

“Boss? Can you find something for this kid to do?

“Hey, Twiggy. What’s up?”

“Hi, Dad. I’m thinking of joining Lucy and Bailey in the yard.”

“Go ahead. Nothing should stop you.”

“Well, except for that scary looking bird out there.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake, Twiggy. That’s just a harmless blackbird.”

“I’ve been reading about birds of prey, and at my level, one has to be careful.”

“Go to Lucy. She’ll take care of you.”

“Don’t you worry, Twiggy. That bird can’t hurt you.”

“I feel pretty good right here.”

“Just let him try something. He’ll have to answer to me.”

“So what is Bailey doing over there?”

“She is having one of her beauty sun baths.”

“Beauty sun Baths?”

“Yup. she lays in the sun and believes it helps her skin tone.”

“You and I lay in the sun.”

“But you and I know it doesn’t do a thing.”

“I like the warm though.”

“Yeah, that is nice.”

“What’s Bailey doing now?”

“She is rolling around getting a back itch.”

“Oh, That sounds good.”

“Go over and try it.”

“Hey, Bailey. Am I doing it right?”

“You certainly have good form. Give a little wiggle there.”

“Where you going, Bailey.”

“Ouch. Ear cramp. Gotta find Pops.”

“That does look like it hurts. What does Pops do?”

“He gives it a straighten out. Feels better then.”

“Ahhhh. So much better. Thanks, Pops.”

“No problem Bailey. Come on Twiggy. Time for a nap.”

“Can’t I just stay and have a sun bath?”

“Maybe next time. Right now you need your beauty sleep.”

“Hey, Pops. What’s going on?”

“I’m wondering how you and Lucy are getting on with Twiggy.”

“I would say quite well. She is a lot of fun till she starts with the nipping.”

“Yeah. All puppies do that. Just tell her, no.”

“I think a deep growl conveys the message.”

“Speaking of that. Are you teaching her about being a dog?”

“Hold on Pops. Let me get with Lucy.”

“Lucy. Huddle up time.”

“What is it? Lose your bone to Twiggy?”

“No Pops is asking if we are teaching her to be a dog.”

“Okay let’s review the morning, and you can answer the question.”

First of all was the treat lesson

“Hey kid what are you doing?”

“Trying to find a crumb by this chair.”

“Forget that.”

“But these crumbs are tasty.”

“How about if I show you how to get a big ole treat?”

“What do I do?”

“You find mama, and then you plunk your butt on the floor.”

“I found mama.”

“Hit the floor.”

“I get it. This is what is called,”sit.”

“Yup. That’s it. Enjoy.”

“Now I need to show you how to— Hey, where you going?”

“Bailey is calling me.”

“What do you want, Bailey?”

“There is a dog skill that I need to explain a little.”

“Oh, I’m all ears. What is it.”

“Don’t worry you’ll grow into those ears. What I need to explain is watch dogging.”

“Watch dogging?”

Yes, follow me.”

“You need to keep an eye out for anyone who may pose a threat to our humans.”

“I can’t get up there yet.”

“Not to worry just listen. You will have the opportunity to sound an alarm  when monsters approach the house.”

“Monsters? What kind of Monsters.”

“Oh, they have real names. UPS and FedEx are just two. There is also any number of intruders climbing our stairs.”

“What do we do?”

“We are in Luck. There is a FedEx across the street.”

“Should I hide.”

“No watch Lucy. Across the street is only a mid emergency. See how attentive she is. If this were an actual incursion, she would be whining.”

“What would you be doing?”

“Barking my butt off till Pops or Mama tell me it is okay.”

“I’m not sure I can bark.”

“It will come, sis. It will come. Lucy, I’ll go and report to Pops we have covered treat acquisition and watch dogging.”