CRACKERS

Most of the Randolph side of the family reside in the midwest.  And the majority of them are tried and true farmers.  Some livestock, but most have acres of corn.  As far as you can see there are corn fields.  It was so fun to run through those fields when we were kids.  Sometimes, on a still day, you could lay in the field and hear the corn grow.  I know, you think I've been hitting the xanex a little to hard, but I kid you not.

My Uncle Jack and Aunt Ava have about 40 acres on which at any given time they have cows, donkeys, chickens, goats, geese and yes, dogs and cats.  Now this particular dog had no papers and was not registered AKC.  He is an all American mutt.

My dad told Shae, when she was probably around three years old, about this very special dog.  This dog, he shared, was a talking dog.  And this dog, it was said, had quite a vocabulary.  Not only that, but he could perform.  Grandad got a treat and told Crackers to sit.  Crackers sat.  He told Crackers to shake.  Crackers shook.  He told Crackers to roll over.  Crackers rolled over.

Now Shae asked Grandad to make Crackers talk.  So Grandad got a treat and told Crackers to say please.  Silence.  Grandad said again "Crackers say please."  Silence.

Shae looked Crackers straight in the eye and said "Well . . . say it."  Grandad busted up.

She's a Roderick, what can I say.