Shhhhh.... You'll wake the watch dog.

There used to be a time when Lagniappe was really on his game. Back then, I was alerted to any and all visitors by his loud warning barks which began about as soon as a vehicle on the road even slowed down near the end of the driveway. Lagniappe's senses and perception were uncanny, and in his prime he was nigh infallible. And his ferocious bark kept everyone with any sense well back from Lagniappe's deck.

But today... Sigh. Today, the big brown UPS truck slowed and stopped at the end of the driveway without a challenge. The UPS man even brought a big box up and set it on the steps, all while the once-vigilant watchdog napped undisturbed on his dog bed just the other side of the sliding glass door.

By luck I happened to catch a glimpse of the UPS man returning to his truck, at which time I woke Lagniappe and pointed him out. Lagniappe staggered to his feet and gave him a half-hearted barking at, but it honestly wasn't very impressive.

It sucks to get old, doesn't it, pal? But it's ok. I'll do the watching for a while. You just rest and enjoy the sunbeam. You've earned it, my friend.