That doggy can be free for all I care

My best conversations with The Bandit happen while I’m cuddling with him when I put him to sleep. The problem is, I always get him to giggling which is not conducive to going to sleep.

“Guess what I want for my birthday,” I told him.

“A kiss?” he suggested.

“No, but I’ll take one now.” He pecked a quick kiss on my lips. “That was very nice, but that’s not what I want.”

“Oh. A hug?”  Then he promptly gave me one of those, too.

“I love your hugs, too, and I’ll love to have one with a kiss on my actual birthday, but that’s not what I want for my present.”

He thought for a second. “A butterfly kiss?” Apparently, he was going to go through our repetoire of kisses.  Next I’m certain he’d suggest an Eskimo kiss.

“No. I want an actual present. Guess what I want that is not a sign of affection.”

“Affection?”

“I mean a present that doesn’t involve kisses or hugs.”

“Oh. I bet it’s a puppy.”

“Bingo! That’s what you tell Daddy any time he asks. In fact, even if he doesn’t ask you should bring it up.”

“We already have a puppy.” Obviously, his father is working on him from the other angle.  Drat. I’ll have to undo all that brainwashing.

“I know, but I want another puppy.”

“I thought I couldn’t have another puppy because I don’t take care of the one we already have.”

“True, but the new puppy won’t be for you. I’ll take care of it just like I take care of Roscoe.”

“Oooh, then I just get to play with it.” He giggled with glee.

“Nope.  It’s my puppy and if you don’t help take care of it, then you can’t touch it.”

“What if it wants to touch me?”

No, you can’t. You’ll have to go to your room when the puppy wants to play.  It’s my puppy.”

“Oh come on!” That’s The Bandit’s new phrase: Oh Come On! He says it all the time and with great enthusiasm.

“Listen you, just do as you’re told. You tell Daddy what I told you to tell him and maybe I’ll let you pet my puppy.”

“Can we get a German Shepard?”

“I’d be very happy with a German Shepard. I’d be pretty darn happy with just about any puppy.”

“OK.  I want a dalmatian.” I read him 101 Dalmatians for his bedtime story.  That’s what gave me such a great segue into our conversation.

“Whatever.  If you guys get me a puppy, I’ll let it kiss me for my birthday.”

I love puppy kisses.

He wouldn’t let me go until I sang him a song.  I sang How Much is That Doggy In the Window.  Twice. I’ve got a month to pull this off.