Larry, Larry, Larry

As often happens to me when I meet new people and their dogs, I only remember the names of the dogs.  So when we met Larry and his "Mom" and "little sister", I knew the only name that would stick would be his.  This was easier this time for a few reasons:  First, Larry is such an usual name for a dog.  The only Larry I could think of was Larry David and it seemed unthinkable that this dog's personality warrented being named after the quirky star of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

But amazingly, his 'Mom' sounded exactly like Susie Green (you know, Larry David's Manager Jeff's wife>>>)....not in the spewing of profanity, but definitely in the tone and attitude.  Here is what actually happened on our first encounter with Larry, his  'Mom' and his 'little sister':

Larry's Mom was walking her daughter to their car, and it was clear the little girl was being taken to school.  Larry, not on a leash, was expected to simply follow across the street and two houses over.  Larry was lagging and the Mom said the following...word for word:

"Larry, Larry, get in the car.  Larry.  C'mon Larry.  Be a good boy Larry.  Larry where are you?  Larry, Larry, we need to go.  _________(little girl's name) is going to be late.  Larry, you don't want that do you Larry?  Good boy Larry.  RIght over here into the car.  ________(little girl's name), call Larry, tell him to get in the car."

The little girl said:  "Larry, Larry, come into the car.  I can't be late Larry.  Please Larry. Please please please Larry, come on.  Oh, good boy Larry.  You sit next to me Larry.  Good Larry.  Now we can go Larry."


I stood on the sidewalk crying from laughing so hard.  Thankfully I was far enough removed from the scene that all the Mom knew was that the new neighbor was hysterically laughing. But since she had no clue as to why, my reputation  of being 'unusual' was only confirmed. I could not help myself....(I am laughing now just thinking about it.)

My dogs, Charlie and WInston, looked slightly bemused and vaguely confused at hearing the same word over and over and over again.  Unlike words like 'Treat' or 'Walk' or even 'No', they had no idea what the heck the word was but they stood waiting for its sound to stop.  And it finally did and we went inside to bask in the silence of Larry and his family being gone.  For the moment.

The next day, a Sunday, BIll and I were enjoying the paper and coffee outside on the piazza.  It was another impossibly perfect 75 degrees.  The birds were chirping and the sounds of church bells could be heard.  (Seriously, thats what it has been like here.....beautiful birds and majestic church bells...)

Anyway, all of a sudden, we all heard crying, a dog's whimpering.  Not the cry of physical injury, but the unmistakable sound of a sad canine.

Charlie's ears perked up to full attention and I could tell he was just about to start barking.  That's when I turned to Charlie and said: 

"It's Larry.  Larry is crying.  Larry's family left him to go out for brunch."

Charlie stared at me, with his oversized brown eyes.  Blinked.  Considered my Larry news.  And his return gaze said to me: 

"Oh that Larry.  What an annoying dog!!!"



Sending love from Charleston