I adopted Ray when he was just seven weeks old and brought him home, a scarf-wrapped bundle on my lap, safe from the winter storm raging outside the truck. Shortly after that, we began puppy obedience classes, and since he was still such a tidbit, I transported him crated in the backseat of my truck. Eventually he graduated from the class and the crate to sitting/lying in the backseat while on his bye-byes and never really had much of an interest in looking out the window or getting air in his face.

Even when we began driving the minivan pittievan, Ray claimed the back bench seat as his domain while Julius gravitated toward the cushions on the floor next to the baby’s car seat.

Until recently.
A few weeks ago, Ray decided he was meant to ride shotgun, so he lumbered over Julius, the console, the armrest and into his throne. He became Joe Cool in the front seat while clearly only babies sat in the back.

So, while I don’t let him up there as a practice, I do let him have his special seat occasionally and it does tend to go to his big head.

Recently I had to take him to his Vet for an appointment and since it ran long, we ended picked up Julius from day-play together.  Julius, as usual, was happy to see his big brother.  Juli jumped into the van with his tail wagging, greeting Ray as if to say, “Hi Ray, I’m glad you came with Mommy to pick me up!  I had a great day, did you have a great day?  I played all day long with my friends.  Were you going bye-bye with Mommy?  I missed you, did you miss me?”

Ray, from his spot in the front seat, did the one motion head nod…”Hey kid” and turned back to the window.