“That old grouchy dog is here?” Maggie said.

“Well, you should see him now. He’s beside himself waiting out there on the back porch! Maybe one of these days we’re going to figure out this dog thing with Layla. I mean, what is going on between Layla and these dogs?”

Maggie stood up in the bathtub and, as I was just standing there gawking at her, she said, “Bring me a towel, hon!”

“What if I don’t?” I said, grinning at her.

“Jim, I’ll take care of you later, now bring me and Layla a towel! Let’s go see what happens with Strider and Layla!”

Begrudgingly, I brought her a towel and said, “I’ll be out on the back porch with Strider!”

I opened the back door and Strider was right where I had left him, tail wagging and all. It didn’t take but a few minutes before Maggie, carrying Layla, appeared.

Maggie had dressed Layla in her blue jean overalls with a long sleeve shirt and her red sneakers. She was ready to play.

As soon as Layla saw Strider she squealed, and Strider, well, he just went a little nuts.