Grandpa and Charlie

Charlie was a toy poodle that seemed to be more human than animal. He was very tiny when we got him, but very full of energy. He was a mischievous dog (if one exists) that seemed to delight in teasing. One summer night we had a group of friends to our home for dinner. It was a warm evening, and we had the doors and windows open. Suddenly we heard "You son of a bitch," coming from the front yard. My wife Dolores and I just looked at each other when we heard these words. We kind of hoped we wouldn't hear them again. Our guests smiled as they looked at us, enjoying our discomfort. Again, we heard, "You son of a bitch." This happened several more times until finally we couldn't stand it anymore. We had to find out what was going on. We went to the front door and looked out. There we saw my dad (Dewey Donohoo) and Charlie walking around the front lawn, Charlie in front and Dad following behind. Charlie would stop walking and sit down. just as my dad would reach out to pick him up, Charlie would get up and move just out of his reach and sit down again. Every time this would happen my dad would say, "You son of a bitch." Eventually, Dad caught his little friend (they adored each other) and brought him into the house. Charlie and Dad are both gone now, but when we get lonesome for one or both of them, Dolores and I will smile and retell the story of Charlie and Grandpa Dewey and their walk around our front lawn.