“Hey, Twiggy. Where are you?”

“Over here in the rocks.”

“What are you doing there?”

“The grass is all wet and feels icky on my feet.”

“So, what is the attraction out here?”

“Look at that flowerbed. Nice black stones. Collect the sun heat.”

“Okay. I can see that. You think Mom would approve?”

“I’m not on the plant. Why wouldn’t she?”

“Now you are talkin’, A nice lay down in the sun on the chase.”

“Yeah, okay. I know you worry about the flower bed and me.”

“Hey, Lucy. This chase is wet.”

“It’s not that bad. We can still use it.”

“I’m not going to stretch out, Lucy. A quick sit is all.”

“You have to admit it is relaxing.”

“What are you doing now, Little One?”

“You should see how the chase bends under your weight.”

“For heaven’s sake get out of there. You coming back up here?”

“I don’t think so. It still is wet.”

“Where you going now?”

“I hear the sound of kibble in the bowl. Time for dinner.”

“Dinner does trump lounging. Wait for me.”

“Hey twiggy. What are you doing?”

“Hiding from Lucy. I’m going to jump her.”

“Going to be tough. She’s outside.”

“Oh for heaven’s sake. I better go out.”

“Hey, Lucy. What are you doing?”

“I was going to go and have a lay down in the sun.”

“Aw come on. There are more fun things than that to do.”

“Like pick up a stick?”

“Yeah. I just found this one.”

“Mama’s going to be very upset with you chewing sticks.”

“Okay let’s go to the sun.”

“Now isn’t this better. So warm.”

“It’s warm alright. But….”

“But what?”

“Boring. Look at this acorn in the rock over here.”

“You better not eat it. I’m leaving you now.”

“What? What did I say?”

“Hey, Lucy. Aw, come on back. I’ll sit in the sun with you. Lucy? LUCY.”

“Hey, Dad. You think Lucy is going to wear those antlers?”

“I very much doubt it, Little one.”

“Here she comes. I’ll ask her.”

“Don’t be surprised by the answer.”

“The answer is no.”

“I didn’t even ask a question, Lucy.”

“I think you were going to ask if I would wear those reindeer antlers.”

“Man, you are a clairvoyant for sure. Hey dad, can I try on my holiday dress?”

“There you are, Little One. You look precious.”

“See Lucy. If you put on those antlers, you would be precious too.”

“I hate to tell you, but sometimes precious is another word for challenged.”

“Aw come on, Lucy. Get into the spirit. Do the antlers.”

“For you little one, I’ll do a bow. That’s it.”

“Okay, it is better than nothing. Where’s the camera?”

“The tree looks great.”

“So do you in your dress.”

“Precious?”

“No. I would say cute.”

“I’ll take it.”

Well, the temperature has definitely improved.  High is to be 79 degrees. Time to play outside.

“Come on Twiggy, let’s play.”

“Yeah, I’m coming. Just checking on Mom.”

“What needs checking?”

“You know she loves having me around. I just want to make sure she won’t miss me.”

“I can assure you she won’t miss you. She probably welcomes a little alone time.”

“That is hard to believe, but okay. I’ll take your word.”

“look at this, Lucy. The lounges are set up.”

“Huh? I thought I saw a bird over here.”

“Look, the pillows are on the lounges. I think summer is back.”

“This is still fall, Little One. Don’t be fooled.”

“You ought to feel how soft.”

“I know I used to sleep on them.”

“Oh, yeah. They are soft, alright.”

“I thought I heard something.”

“Was it Mom crying her eyes out?”

“No. It did sound like she was laughing through.”

“Now, I’m concerned.”

“Oh, please, Little Potato. Chill out and take a nap. Mom’s fine. Probably glad to not to have you underfoot.”

“I hope she doesn’t forget me.”

“Take a nap.”

 

 

so here we are faced with going outside when it is freezing.

“Oh my gosh, Lucy it’s cold.”

“Yes, it is Little One. Good thing you have that sweater.”

“Okay, I have to run to stay warm.”

“Right behind you, Little Leopard.”

“Keep running.”

“But we have to stop eventually. We are out here for a purpose.”

“Makes sense. I’m ready to go inside.”

“Wait for me.”

“Puff puff. That was some run.”

“Feel warm, though, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I must say you look ferocious.”

“Please don’t tell anyone I’m in a cat sweater, Lucy.”

“Your secret is safe with me. Look at the Boss. He has something.”

“I picked this off the lounge chair. It’s ice.”

“Ice? What the heck is ice?”

“Frozen water.”

“Well, you have two frozen pups, and if you don’t mind, we need inside. We like our water unfrozen.”

 

 

“Twiggy. You awake?”

“Mrufff mumble.”

“I think it is getting late.”

“Uh. Where do we have to be?”

“Well, nowhere, but we can’t sleep on the couch the whole day.”

“Mmmmm. I say we can.”

“Where you going?”

“Gonna go ask dad for the time.”

“Wait up. I’ll go with you.”

“Okay.”

Hey, Dad. What time is it?

“Right now, eleven o’clock. Time for you two to go out.”

“What’s the temp out there?”

“Forty-six degrees,.

“Man, this is cold. Lucy, check the patio. Is it dry?

“I’m going Little One. Why am I always the guinea pig?”

“Twiggy, it’s all wet back here.”

“That’s all I need to know. I’m outa here.”

“Mama, mama, mama. We are dying out here.”

“Good one, Twiggy. I’m sure she will come running now.”

“Lucy. The reason you are the guinea pig is you are so much bigger and braver than me.”

“Save the soft soap for Mama. She’s going to be forced to wipe your paws.”

 

“Wake us in a couple of hours, Dad. Not sure that outing was effective.”

“Will do, Twiggy. I stand to serve.”

“Hey, dad. Any chance of forcing Lucy to play with me?”

“Now you know that doesn’t work well, Little One.”

“look at her though. Sound asleep when there are toys to play with.”

“Go see if she wants to play.”

“You want to play, Lucy?”

“Little potato. I’ve played with you for the last three hours. I need a small break.”

“Okay, then. I’ll just wander over and play with my hamburger.”

“There you go. A nice hamburger.”

“Lots of fun. Look I can chew the cheese-like fabric.”

“Uh-huh. Why not play with Beaver?”

“Beaver is under the couch.”

“Get the Boss to help you.”

“Dad? Can you get Beaver for me?”

“Sure Twiggy. No problem.”

“Ah Thanks, Dad.  Beaver is my friend.”

“I hope Beaver likes to be checked for fleas.”

“It’s no fun trying to play alone.”

“Come over here, Little one.”

“You know there are times when you just have to play alone.”

“But I miss playing with you.”

“Okay. I’ll make you a deal. We take a nap then I’ll play with you.”

“Okay, Lucy. You are the best. I’ll try to close my eyes.”

“I think more important is trying to close the mouth.”