Zaina, this one's for you

Yesterday Bud and I went to a barbeque that a friend of ours hosted. She house-sat all week for a family who has a nice deck, grill and hot tub so the dinner was practically part of the deal. I doubt the nice family intended to come home to partially melted siding, but on the other side of the deck there was also a “melt spot” from the grill, so I guess you live you learn, thank goodness it’s not my deck.

On the way to the house – out in the country – I spotted blackberries growing on the side of the road. Bud jumped out and picked a bunch, then tipped a few into my hand and gave one to Sadie to eat. Sadie seemed to enjoy it and we continued to bump along up the driveway. Shortly thereafter I noticed Sadie digging furiously at my pants leg and I told her to stop, somewhat harshly, partly annoyed. When we parked and I got out of the truck I realized just why Sadie had been pawing at my pants. Instead of eating the berry, she obviously faked it and then let it roll out of her mouth, under my butt onto the seat. I had dark purplish juice smeared in the least flattering place all over my new(ish) capris.

I think this was Sadie’s polite way of saying, “Pay attention to me, or you’ll rue the day.”