Our nice neighbors went on a church bus tour to our Nation's Capitol a few weeks ago. I have become friendly with most of our neighbors and as such Ms. Carolyn from across the street asked if William and I would come over while she and her husband were away and give her three dogs, Ring, Honeybun and Sissy, treats. Another neighbor had the responsibility of feeding Ring, Honeybun and Sissy but Ms. Carolyn wanted us just to play with them, supply them with ample treats and change the water in the birdbath.

I of course said it would be not trouble at all, even though I don’t really care that much for dogs, especially hers, and we went over to her house to see where the treats were kept. While there Ring, who is so fat from too many treats he can barely walk, would not stop barking. He really wanted to play with William and William just wanted me to hold him, being very intimidated by Ring on account of his enormous girth. Ms. Carolyn has been bestowed with the gift of gab and was talking away to me shooing and shushing Ring as we walked around her yard and patio. Finally at the end of her southern wits she turned around and very loudly yelled,
“Ah, SHUT UP Ring!!” And then turned around to us as though she had forgotten we were there and giggled a little embarrassed at loosing her patience. William, who is holding on to my neck for dear life, afraid no doubt that at any moment he will fall from my arms and Ring will devour him whole, then proceeds to whisper in my ear,
“Can I sha she she at?” he asks
“What William?” I ask.
He whispers again inaudibly.
“Honey I can’t hear you. You don’t have to whisper. What do you want to do?”
Now his lips are in my ear, “Can I say Shut Up to that dog?”
“No”
“Why?”
Good question, Ms. Carolyn just said it. “Because, well Ms. Carolyn we must be going.” I excused us from the yard and back to our own where we could still hear Ring’s longing bark wanting so badly just to play with William who really just wanted to say “Shut up Dog”. I guess William is a little bit like his mother after all, not much of a dog lover.