Two poodles

0309. Charlie (the poodle) said he and Victor (the poodle) needed to go outside. I got up and let them out, obviously, or I would not now be writing this.

Priscilla and I learned early that Charlie does not lie about needing to go outside. About a month after we got the dogs, Charlie around 0400 one day said he wanted to go out. He and Victor were in their cages in another bedroom. Priscilla and I both told Charlie he was crazy, it was too early, he should go back to sleep. Charlie barked a couple more times. We repeated our admonitions. Charlie stopped barking. When I got up at 0630 to let the dogs out, I found Charlie had gone through an episode of diarrhea.

Some things you learn unpleasantly. So when Charlie says he and Victor need to go out, I believe him.

(If you wonder why two big poodles – 90 pounds and 65 pounds – are named Victor and Charlie … Priscilla and I were driving home from near Joplin, Mo., with our newly bought 8-month-old and 7-month-old dogs in the back seat. Priscilla said, “How about Charlie for the red one? You know, the irresponsible one who grows up to be Charles?” I said that was a good name. She said, “What about the white one?” I smiled sardonically to myself and said, “Victor.” In my long ago experience, if you have a Charlie you have to have a Victor.)