Toby Takes Over (Part 2)

Editor's Note: Toby is taking over the column for a couple weeks while I work on some other projects for Patch. Hope you enjoy what he has to say!

Good Morning, Hyattsville! It's Toby.

I was going to write about treats and balls and chasing the kitty that lives here and other stuff I like, but my Mommy got sick this week so I thought I'd talk about that.

She doesn't get sick much, but when she does, it's no fun. I feel like a hermit, holed up in the bedroom while Mommy sleeps and coughs and snorts and blows her nose. It's pretty gross.

But I knew just what to do this time.

I went and got the bag of cough drops for her. I don't know why she kept taking it away from me and swatting at me – I think it might have been because I sneaked a few for myself! – but it was confusing.

I also tried getting the tissues, but I guess I must've picked up the used ones because she just kept digging them out of my mouth and tossing them back into the trash bag she kept by her bed.

When all else fails – and dogs everywhere know this – just hop up and cuddle with your best friend. It works wonders.

I can't tell you how many times I tried this, but nothing worked. Mommy didn't get out of bed for weeks I think. It was so long and I was so bored. (I don't think Mommy loved me at all during that time. I have to ask her about this).

Then, one day, a big box full of round, chewy, sweet things came in the mail. Mommy wouldn't let me have any – not even the ones that smelled like peanut butter. I was so sad. I don't know why Mommy would do this to me.

But anyhow, there must've been some celebration because all this mail came and the phones were ringing. And Mommy ate nothing but those round, chewy, sweet things and really hot stuff in a mug. I got zero attention.

I'm not mad about it though, because Mommy's better now and I don't remember anything about that time. I just had fleeting memories last long enough to write this story.

I'm glad Mommy's back.

I missed her.