“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.”

“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.”

“Another lesson I have to teach. Body language.”

“What about it?”

“Look at my ears. They are telling you I don’t want to be bothered.”

“I’m not bothering you. We are just playing.”

“Well, playing to you might be annoying to someone else.”

“Are you annoyed?

“Let’s just say I have had better days.”

“Would a kiss help?”

“That was lovely, and it did help brighten things.”

“Where you going?”

“I’m going over to the refrigerator to lie down.”

“Why the refrigerator?”

“There is nice warm air coming out of the bottom.”

“Oh, I can feel it. It’s wonderful.”

“I suppose there is enough for two.”

“You are the bestest sister.”

“You comfortable?”

“I think I need to move just a little more.”

“How about now?”

“I’m going to get off of you.”

“Aw gee, it was just starting to feel good with you up there.”

“Dark sarcasm, right?”

“You bet your Pink Floyd.”