[ WP ] Once every five years you can coherently communicate with your dog for a whole day . Today is that day .

`` OMG OMG OMG!!!!!! STEAKKKKKKKKK!!!!! GIM ME GIM ME GIM ME! I'M A GOOF BOY!'' Meatball proceeded to devour his medium rare skirt steak in two bites. He never believed in chewing. Even when he was just a baby mutt he would eat scraps that were double his size. Eventually he grew to become a giant German Shepard Husky mix suffering from an identity crisis as a prancing pony. 
 
 `` I ca n't believe the day we had! I got to bark at seagulls at the beach, you let me sniff that Poodle's butt at the doggy park, we watched Despicable Me while you gave me that back rub, oh man, oh man, what's next mom?! Can We get soft serve vanilla icecream?!?!? Oh man!'' 
 
 `` Yes Meatball, we will get anything you want, if you're up for it.'' 
 
 `` Yes! I'm up for everything?! This is the best day ever! I mean, we always have great days everyday. But they're even better on Talk Days! And I know we've only had that one other talk day when I was 35, but that was an awesome day!!!!!'' 
 
 We stopped by Baskin Robbins on the way and picked up the soft serve. I brought a little bowl for his water for when he got thirsty. When we were done we got into the car & Meatball shoved his head out the window for maximum wind surfing effect. 
 
 I parked, shut off the car & took a deep breath. 
 
 `` Mom, you've been talking to me about this for a month now. It's okay. I'm ready. It's just sleeping for a long time right? We'll be together playing catch when you turn 70 too right? Maybe before then, you said?'' 
 
 `` I hope so.'' I tried to smile but my head was pounding from my efforts to keep the tears from falling out. I usually ca n't carry Meatball. I used to not be able to carry Meatball but the cancer took a toll on his weight. So I opened the back door and heaved him onto myself to walk him inside the house where his vet was waiting. She said some consoling words, telling us to take our time. I looked at Meatball & he just panted. 
 
 `` You smell so sad Mom, it's okay. Really. I just... Could you please just stay with me until I fall asleep? Could you tell me a story? One where I conquer the evil squirrel who kept on stealing my treats last summer. I never did find him. Lost his scent...'' 
 
 I was half way through telling him the story when he said, `` I love you mom.'' 
 
 `` I love you too'' I chocked out as I held my best friend. `` I know mom. Thanks for the great Talk Day,'' he whispered. `` You can give the squirrel my toys. But keep one so you do n't forget me. I do n't want you to have to sniff the other dogs' butts when you're looking for me in heaven. Some of them do n't wipe properly on the grass.'' 
 
 `` Okay, buddy. But I could never forget you.'' 
 
 `` I know.''
