"Oh, boy!" exclaimed Maddie, as I dropped her onto the passenger seat. "A ride in the car! Are we going to San Francisco today?"

"Nope," I answered. "Think closer to home."

"Are we picking up Jennifer from work?" She rolled on the seat, pausing to sniff at the container of water I'd left in the cup holder.

I buckled my seat belt, then started the car. "Closer."

"Taco Bell?" she asked, resuming rolling.

"No," I answered with a shake of my head. "No Taco Bell. We're going to go get you a car seat."

Maddie stopped rolling, staring up at me with a wrinkled brow. "Phooey!"

We drove the couple of blocks to Our Best Friends, then drove around the block until we finally found a parking space. I parked, shutting off the Prius.

"Nuts to your car seat," insisted Maddie. "Nuts. I don't need a baby seat."

"It's not a baby seat," I said. "Besides, it looks like it's going to be illegal for you to ride unrestrained pretty soon."

"Sheesh. It's not like I ride in your lap," said Maddie. "That is... most of the time."

I scratched her on the head. "They're calling it the 'Paris Hilton Law'."

"Peerless Stilton?" asked Maddie, licking her lips. "I like Stilton. Danish Blue, too. But what's this car seat law got to do with cheese?"

"Paris Hilton," I corrected. "The um... actress... er... singer... er.... Whatever. It's a law, and a safety thing, and we don't want any unnecessary trouble, right?"

"Okay," said Maddie, as we climbed out of the car and crossed the street. "Fine. We'll get a car seat."


"Hey Hannah," said Maddie as we walked through the door at Our Best Friends. "Some hairless Piltdown says I gotta get a car seat."

"Paris..." I started to say, then just shook my head. "Oh, nevermind."




With a little bit of help, Hannah brought out a car seat, so Maddie climbed in to try it out. "What do you think," I asked.

"It's kind of comfy, I guess," said Maddie as she kneaded at the seat with her front paws.


"It's got a spot back here for your tail," Hannah volunteered. "And I think it's just the right size."


"I just realized," said Maddie. "This would make it easier to look out the window."

"I think it looks good on you," said Hannah. "And black is slimming."


"Really?" asked Maddie, hopping out and wagging. "We'll take it!"


But we weren't quite ready to go yet, as Comcast had decided to start working on something right above where we'd parked. So, we hung out, chatting with Stephanie and talking to customers about dog toys. Finally, the cherry picker drove away.

I loaded the car seat into the back of the Prius, fastening it in with the seatbelt. "What do you think?" I asked.


"It's good," said Maddie. "I like the tail hole best. And I can see out the window. The front window, too, if I look through the headrest."

I closed her door, then walked around and climbed in. I started the car. "Are you ready to roll?"

"Yeah," said Maddie. "Let's drive. I know exactly where I want to go."


Maddie navigated from the back seat while I drove. "Go right here," she said. "Now over the bridge. And left at the light..."


We drove down Lakeville, approaching Washington Street. "Here we go," said Maddie. "Pull in here and order me a Quesadilla."


Bonus Pic: Ladybug on the garage door.