Grand-pup Angus rushed up and put his paws on Holly’s shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Do you need a hug?” she asked in the voice she uses to talk to babies, plants, and dogs.

He licked her on the nose. She pulled his head to her chest and said, “I love you, sweet boy.” Then she threw her head back and laughed (with her mouth and eyes closed) as Angus slathered her with dog-kisses on the cheeks, chin, neck, and nose.

Holly cradled his head in her hands and said, “Come here, darlin’.” She planted a big, loud kiss—“mmm-MUH!”—right on the end of his nose. She cooed, “You’re my precious boy, yes you are!”

After a few moments, I said, “You don’t talk to me like that anymore.”

Holly said, “You don’t kiss me like that anymore.”

Fair enough.