Spankie the Dawg is 14 years old. Like all of us old folks, he's set in his ways.

And we've contributed to it. He even knows what time it is, when it's time for his treat. He can tell time, though he can't see past the end of his nose, sure can't read the clock. When he starts protesting for his treat, look at the clock....he's pretty darned right. Every day. Within a few minutes.

Once every week or two, Sue Unit will take him to McDonald's for a burger and fries. He deserves it.

She did so today. She always has to put the bag in the trunk, or in her pocketbook, or hide it somewhere. Spank can smell it and raises hell all the way home- I WANT IT! I KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

So today Unit decided to give Spankie his first, so she could eat hers in peace. Spankie raising hell begging as she cut up the hamburger and put in his bowl. Gave it to him.

Unit retired to the other room to eat her lunch and in minutes there he was, raising hell and wanting some.

She got hers but had to give him some to make him hush. When she was out of food, Spank went back in the kitchen and worked on his, still left in the bowl. He wanted hers AND his, and he'd saved his in the bowl while he did his act.

Don't mess with old folks. They're smart.