“Hey, Little one. How about a game of Jolly ball.”

“Um. I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Busy? Doing what?”

“I’m looking for acorns.”

“Acorns? You know you are not supposed to chew those. They’re not good for dogs.”

“I’m not going to chew them.”

“What are you going to do then?”

“I’m going to use them as bait for that pesky squirrel.”

“You gotta be kidding me. Look this ball is a sure thing. You’ll never get that squirrel.”

“Well, rather than chase it, I’ll lay a couple of acorns down and when it comes to get them I’ll pounce like a mama lion.”

“Okay then. I’m going to go get some rays.”

“Where did all the acorns go anyway?”

“I hate to tell you but Mom comes out here and picks them up.”

“Well, no wonder.”

“So you might just as well come over and take in the sun too.”

“I just can’t imagine Mom coming out here to pick them up.”

“She doesn’t want you to get sick, Dufus.”

“Aww, you think so?”

“I know so. Also, she hates it when you sit in those rocks.”

“Why. I like them. They are nice and warm.”

“Yes, and you get ant bites over there.”

“Not all the time. Just once in a while. You gonna move over or what?”

“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.”