My little dog sister is no longer a baby. She still makes way too much noise because she barks at everything. She still chases Sophia through the house (Sophia really needs to stop running.) She is still a little mean to poor old Fred. Now, however, she adds the crime of shedding masses of her fluffy fur. Fred has always shed a lot, but to have Missy add even more means that Mom needs to vacuum regularly. I consider that noise even worse than Missy’s barking. There is just no place to hid while she runs that nasty thing through the house. Missy also hates to be brushed. Mom says she made the mistake of not brushing her more when she was short haired. Now she has long hair and a really fluffy tail. I wonder if Mom’s brother had the right idea when she was a baby. Is it too late to trade Missy for a bull calf? I’d settle for another cat. Cats rule!

He is gone. I knew it was coming, but it still makes me sad. He was in pain and had forgotten how to smile. I’ve missed his smile. Some people don’t think dogs know how to smile, but they are wrong. He would have a special light in his eyes when he was extremely happy and wanted to play. I hadn’t seen that look on his face in months. That is how I knew it was time.

He was old. The vet had said he was between 3 and 4 years old when Dad adopted him. That was 15 years ago. Mom liked to tell the story of how Dad went to the dog pound to adopt a female terrier and came home with an Australian cattle dog. My human brother Doug said, “Hey, he only came home with one!” I guess Dad knew a good one when he saw it.

Mom and I went through hundreds of pictures. I wanted to find special ones that showed how special he was. I didn’t realize how long ago it was that he truly looked happy. Too bad she can’t use the ones I carry in my head. Fred, we all love you and will miss you. Find you smile again.

Last year Mom said that she and Dad had milestone birthdays (76 & 80). I don’t even want to know what that would be in cat years. She said that they discussed having a big party, but the 2 years of Covid lockdown changed how they feel about having guests. She says that maybe she should have one for me when I turn 10 next year. I’m not sure who she would invite since I don’t really have friends. I guess that the cat lady across the street would come. She comes in occasionally and that is fine when they are home. She came to fill our bowls once when they were gone. I growled at her. She watches me carefully now whenever she is here. She proves that I am a dog-cat.

It might be fun to have a party. Missy, Sophia and I all have our birthdays around the same time as Dad. Missy is now 3, Sophia is 6 and I’d have a milestone of 10. I know Mom would bake a cake for Dad, but I wonder what she would do special for me? Missy, I know would be happy to eat cake. I’m really not into special foods. I’m sure Mom will think of something. She is also talking about getting her next book finished. That may mean another trip. Those are always special! For now I’ll practice my gift wrapping.