New meaning to the expression “tailgating”

I first did it a couple of weeks ago. There was an early evening respite from being inside watching the soaking rain. A southerly breeze began kicking up and the rear of the truck seemed a good place to sit and enjoy the jostling air.

I knew that Ernie would agree as he lights up at any opportunity to be outside.

Once the decision was made I picked up my pal and sat him down next to me on the tailgate. A cold Texas brew and a shared bag of peanuts encouraged conversation.

“So, Ern, what’s this your chasing and eating grasshoppers?”

                   “Yeah, what about it?”

“Well, don’t you get fed enough good, real food? And snacks every day? “

                   “Dad, I’m a dog. I know you treat me like the good person I once was, but now I’m a canine and we eat whatever we want.”

“Alright on this one, Ernie, it could be much worse. You could be eating…………….[interrupted]…..”

                    “That’s right; you know what. So let’s consider this subject closed. Okay?”

And so it goes. Another issue resolved until tonight.

It is rare that Ernie will let me quote him. In this case he hopes it might provide insight to other dog lovers.

[And at this moment, as I write this, Ernie pops up his head from deep sleep and stares directly at me. Really.]

We are buddies, after all.