Ready for Larry’s arrival, I plant my Mastiff butt in the front yard and wait while glancing at the neighbors’ lawns. Every time I see a dandelion, it thrills me knowing one household has not given to killing weeds willy nilly and shortening the life span of the animals who walk across the grass. Nearly every lawn looks like a golf course, but at least the Cyruses are growing dandelions along with some crab grass and a few wildflowers adding color to the green. Me and Otto got our work cut out for us. I hope he’s up to the task of staying focused on the smell of weed killer and not taking a sideways sniff at a coyote in the distance.
When Larry’s motorcycle parks next to the curb, I let out a bark for my Kahu to come running to greet our guests. He opens the front door and strolls over to give Larry a bear hug. I notice the man’s lost his belly and is looking buff probably from chasing his new bloodhound all over the countryside. Lola hangs from Larry’s shoulder in a new custom-made saddle bag that even has a pocket for her water bottle. Seconds later ol’ Otto jumps from the sidecar and gallops toward me and throws his arms around my neck like a girl going on a date. I’m hoping the neighbors don’t notice all the commotion happening at mine and Kahu’s house. We gather up Larry’s picnic basket and file inside ready for a good time.
That bloodhound likes to mix it up and before you know it, we’re wrestling on the floor like two big dogs who haven’t seen each other in a year. Otto possesses enormous enthusiasm and is tripping over his own joy at being where he’s appreciated for his unusual quirks and gifts the Divine Dog threw into the assembly to make ol’ Otto one special hound. Soon Lola’s on the floor trying not to get hurt but wanting to be included in our fun and games. Otto grabs the little squirt by his front paws and holds her in the air while he’s lying on his back. It’s a sight to behold and even the Dog Dads laugh out loud. Lola yaps in her chihuahua way but coming from a five-pound dog, it’s an insignificant noise that disappears on an air current without adding irritation like most of her breed who have a reputation for making a person dizzy from all the yapping interspersed with a few growls that would scare most humans but go unnoticed by another dog. When she stops yapping and hangs mid-air staring at her new brother, I see love in her eyes. He gently brings her to his chest and pets the pipsqueak like he gave birth to her. It’s a touching sight.