I sniff the balls hanging on the tree. I've seen it so many times now but I still get excited. The little dogs are wagging their tails. They're licking their chops. They're copying me! There are boxes covered in ribbons and paper underneath the tree. I sniff them too and debate about eating the ribbons. The children are playing outside. I want to play outside. But...I feel tired today. I rest a lot nowadays. 

The man is home. He's playing outside with the kids. The woman isn't home. I limp to the window and watch the humans. The man is kicking a ball. I remember playing with that ball. I wag my tail as I watch them. The children run in every direction. The little boy falls but he gets back up. I wonder what it's like to run on two legs. Seems awfully tricky. And four legs are so much faster than two! Humans are funny that way. 

I start licking my hip. It's been sore the last few days. I can still walk and run and jump but every once in a while I feel a bit sore and tired. And I decide to sleep instead. I hear laughing and squealing outside. I look out the window and watch. "Kick it in the goal, Ross! No, the other way, son, the other way!"

They all look so happy! I wish I had more energy today. I'd show them how to chase a ball. The children are much faster than they used to be. Both running after the man. The man picks up the little girl who starts squealing! Then he grabs the little boy! They're all yelling and having fun without me! I bark at them! The man sees me! He sets the children down! 

"Come on, kids, we need a break...think Charlie's gettin' lonely."

They're coming in! Oh boy, now we can play games that are more my speed! Like bone chewing or seeing who can sleep the longest! Who can sneeze the loudest? Oh, this is going to be so much fun! I hold my tail up high and greet my humans. The children pet me and lather me with kisses! They're a lot more gentle now since getting bigger. They don't grab at me or hit me anymore. I love them! But my favorite will always be the man. 

I follow him to the kitchen where he pulls out tiny bottles of water. The bottles have little spouts at the top where the water comes out. I know this from the kids turning them upside down and water dripping all over my snout. They don't do that this time. I'm a bit disappointed. The man pulls out something for himself. It smells bad. 

"Daddy?"

"Yes, love?"

"Why do you drink that stuff?" I sniff everyone's feet. They all smell like dirt and grass. I can't get enough of it! I try licking some of it off. 

"Tastes good. But it's not for kids, like."

"Mummy said that too."

"An' she's right, your mum is a sharp woman."

The man is holding something! Ice! It's ice! He sets it on the floor and I wag my tail! I lick it! It's cold! It slides all around the floor! I'll get it! I'll get it in my mouth if it's the last thing I do! I hear children laughing! I must be doing the right thing! They're happy so I'm happy!

"Go Charlie!"

"Hooray Charlie!"

They're cheering for me! I hear them clapping and yelling! They love me and I love them! The ice is getting smaller! It's....it's just a puddle of water! I sniff it. Where did it go??? Maybe the man will give me a new one. I limp over to him but he's sitting on the couch now with his drink. The kids find us and play with some toys they've left scattered around the floor. I hop on the couch to sit next to the man but my hip starts to hurt. I yelp. 

"What happened, Charlie?" 

The man pets me and inspects me. I lick my hip a few times. I'm okay! A bit sore but nothing to worry over! I'm fine! I hear children's feet. "What's wrong with Charlie?"

"I don't know....think his leg's botherin' him or somethin'..."

I'm fine! There's no need to pick me up, I'm comfy right where I am! Ouch! That hurt! Please, put me down! It hurts when you touch my leg! I yelp again!

"I think you're due for another vet appointment." Finally the man carefully sets me down on the couch. I sit away from him and curl up, keeping my sore hip stretched out. I lick and lick and sniff. I can't let them worry about me! I can't let them know I'm weak! My leg will be fine, it just needs rest! Not poking and prodding! Now let me sleep and lick in peace, please!