Having a Master’s in Engineering and a robotics patent, I was the obvious choice when my sister needed a light bulb changed.  This was just a pretext to get me to bring Sparky for a family visit.  My sister didn’t need the pretext.  Sparky loves car rides, a change of scenery and entertaining a friendly audience.

Sparky likes goofing off and hanging out, but it takes a toll.  I like shambling around in the morning, so schedule appointments, run errands or work outside after lunch.  Sparky likes my schedule because it leaves his afternoons free for contemplation and naps.

I had a haircut appointment on Friday, and because of road construction and detours, Sparky had several hours to himself.  He had plenty of energy for his visit.

It’s a 45 minute drive, so I expected Sparky to sleep on the way home.  He didn’t even lay down.  He had so many questions about the Kung Pao chicken my sister had sent home with me. 

“Where’s the Kung Pao chicken?”

“Can I have some Kung Pao chicken?”

“Do dogs like Kung Pao chicken?”

I get that beagles are always hungry and his sense of smell is a million times better than mine, but come on buddy, can’t you talk about some other kind of chicken?

When we got home, put away the food and were relaxing, Sparky moved on to other topics.  He was still excited, and wanted to tell me what he got to do at my sister’s house 

Sparky said he pissed on a bunch of new stuff, found baby kittens outside, and played with some new toys.  Sparky doesn’t even like cat food, but got to eat a bunch of it to piss them off. 

The next day, Sparky was wiped out.