Cam felt a wet tongue licking his hand as it dangled off the edge of the bed. He opened one eye and turned his head to see the tip of Mr. Magee’s wagging tail. Cam sat up and looked at the dog standing next to the bed.
“Good morning, Magee,” he said in a sleepy voice. “You need something?”
Mr. Magee shifted from foot to foot. His long basset body wagged along with his tail. He began a series of hound dog croons.
“Oh, is that so?” Cam asked, interpreting the dog’s actions. “You need to go out do you?”
More excited barking ensued.
Cam checked his watch—only six-thirty. Earlier than usual, but since Mr. Magee seemed so insistent, Cam decided he’d better acquiesce. “Let me get dressed, start a load of laundry, and then we’ll get you outside.”
It was still warm, so Cam decided to forego a
