with John W. Howell
“Lucy. What do you suppose is going on here?
“Humm. Looks like someone made some chairs.”
“I’m not sure, but this sand smells like that drink Dad has on Saturday.”
“Could be beer alright. This tree has ornaments on it. I think someone had one heck of a New Year’s Eve.”
“Lucy. What is mom saying?”
“She wants us to look at the Boss. He is taking a picture.”
“Okay, I have my best smile.”
“I always give it an intelligent look, Little One. Keeps them guessing.”
“Hey, Lucy. What do you want to play?
“I think we could play tag.”
“Sounds good to me. How about you’re it.”
“Yeah, I think that is about right.”
“Don’t catch me too soon, Lucy.”
“Geez, kid I gave you a fifteen length head start.”
“Okay, you got me. Now I’m it.”
“You almost make me laugh Little one. You catch me? I don’t think so.”
“Go ahead and run, Lucy. I’ll give you a head start.”
“I guess I could saunter off, Twiggy.”
“So I got you.”
“You sure did, Little Potato.”
“I was wondering.”
“Uh, I always hate it when you are wondering.”
“Is Bailey at the hospital again?”
“No Little one she isn’t. She feels fine and is in a wonderful place.”
“Will we see her again?”
“Yes, we will all be together again.”
“I sure miss her.”
“We all do, Little One. But, don’t worry. She is very happy, and we should be happy for her. Now, it is my turn to be it.”
“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.”
“You heard Pops you two. No running around. Twiggy needs her rest after surgery.”
“Yes, Mama Bailey. We heard. A little jog couldn’t hurt.”
“Come on Twig. Chase me.”
“You sure it will be okay?”
“What can it hurt. All dogs run.”
“Well okay. You go and I’ll run after you
“There you go, Twiggy. You look great.”
“I don’t think I can catch you two.”
“Go catch Bailey. Then come back after me.”
“Okay, Lucy. Look out, Bailey here I come.”
“Gotcha, Bailey.”
“You sure did kid. Now go get Lucy, but walk.”
“Gonna get cha, gonna get cha. Gonna, gonna, gonna.”
“Bring it on, little stuff. I can outrun a freight train, let alone a little caboose like you.
“Okay ladies. Time to come inside.”
“Lucy?”
“Yes, Boss?”
“You and Twiggy take it easy out there?”
“You have no need to worry, Boss. We were like lambs. Right Twiggy?”
“Yes, Dad. Just like grazing sheep.”
“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, Twiggy. What are you doing?”
“Oh, Hi Dad. Just trying to find an interesting toy to play with.”
“It’s a beautiful day. Why aren’t you outside?”
“For one I don’t have prehensile paws. I need help with the door.”
“Out you go.”
“Lucy, Lucy, Lucy.”
“Yes, Twiggy. Good to see you out here.”
“What are we doing?”
“I was just going to have a laydown, but now that you’re here, go get your shovel.”
“Okay. I have it. Now what?”
“Bring it over here.”
“Be right there. Here I am. What do I do with it.”
“If it were me I would chew on it a while.”
“OMG, Mom would have a fit.”
“I know. Makes it all the sweeter.”
“Lucy.”
“What Bailey?”
“You’re going to get the little one in trouble.”
“Oh yeah? What if I protect her with my life?
“Mom can be pretty persuasive.”
“In any case, I will make a stand.”
“Lucy. You are my hero. You know that?”
“Aw Twiggy. I just think there are some fun things to do that aren’t human authorized.”
“Like what?”
“How do you like to bark?”
“Oh. I love that.”
“Case in point.”
“I have so much to learn. Thanks, Lucy. I see Dad heading this way.”
“I’m laying on the shovel. No one needs to be any the wiser.”
“Got it, Lucy. Bye Bailey.”
“Buy short stuff.”
“You ready to go inside. Twiggy.”
“Aw gee, Dad.”
“Tomorrow’s another day.”
“Where did this monster truck come from?”
“Mom thought you would enjoy it for a change.”
“I’ll thank her at dinner.”
“Good idea. By the way, where’s your shovel?”
“Shovel? What shovel?”
“Been chewing again, huh?”
“Can’t say I know what you are talking about, Dad.”
