Snickers goes insane. She yanks free of her tug-of-war string. For a moment, she pauses to do a polite nose tap with Rowdy. Then she lets loose with zoomies and yips and howls of joy.

“Bob,” Julia says, “come on out and say hi.”

I pretend not to hear her. Which isn’t a big stretch, since Snickers is barking like a maniac.

“Robert,” says Julia.

Fine. I belly-crawl out until I’m exposed.

Snickers is ecstatic. She showers me with licks and nips and nudges and leaps. “Bob,” she croons, “how I’ve missed you!”

I cover my head with my paws, but there’s no escaping her adoration.

“There’s a reason we survived, Bob,” she says, her fuzzy tail in high gear. “The fates want our love to blossom.”

“Is this your girlfriend, Uncle Bob?” Rowdy inquires.

“Girlfriend today,” Snickers responds in a giddy voice. “But who knows what tomorrow may bring? Perhaps you should start calling me Aunt Snickers.”

I am relieved beyond measure when Julia finally pulls Snickers, with great effort, out the door. I try to ignore Nutwit’s teasing. I try to tolerate Rowdy’s stifled laughter.

But when Minnie starts chanting “Bob and Snickers!” followed by Moo’s “sitting in a tree!” I’ve had enough.

I head for my doggie door, ignoring the popcorning guinea pigs, and try to locate my dignity.

a visitor

This evening is like lots of other evenings.

The guinea pigs are squeaking. Nutwit is puttering in his tree. Julia and Sara and George are watching something about meerkats on the nature channel.

I’ve just settled in with Rowdy on the couch when George drops a cookie on the floor.

I leap into action.

“Robert,” says Julia, “leave it.”

Briefly, I consider my options. But not for long.

At least I share a piece with Rowdy.

“You are hopeless,” Julia says. “But I love you anyway.”

And that’s when we hear the bark.

It’s coming from the front porch.

“Hmm. That’s weird,” says George.

“I’ll check it out.” Julia runs to the door and pulls it open.

She hesitates.

She looks over at me, back at the porch, back at me.

“Bob?” she says. “I think it’s for you.”

And it is.

Author’s Note

Dogs. Aren’t they just the best?

If you answered “no,” or even “yes” with a hint of ambivalence, um . . . what is wrong with you?

Sorry. Even if you’re not on Team Canine, I’m sure you’re a swell person. Maybe you’re a cat fanatic, or a guinea pig fan. I get that. I love all kinds of creatures, right down to tarantulas and naked mole rats.