The summer I was 10, my sister turned 15, and my brother had already been 16 for a few months. My formal name is Emerson Snowy Gronk Krill, and they gave me my middle names as I arrived with my own first. Raising teenagers is nutty, and I much prefer to watch the world go by from this favorite chair on the porch. Today is cooler than it’s been in a while, overcast with a little rain now and then– absolutely perfect for porch napping. By resting my head here, I have a better view of my mom whose been on calls all morning out here at her desk, which is just a small table, helping other people’s teenagers who are writing their college essays. She talks to them on the phone, giving some advice, taking notes, letting them talk and ask questions. She is really good at this– I can tell. Another mom just called her a “teen whisperer” which made her feel really good because despite being a teacher, her own kids, except for me, don’t want her help. If I had to go to college, I would most certainly reach out to her. Lucky for me, I’m approaching retirement.

Summer days in New Hampshire are my favorite. The very best days include walks in the woods, swims in the river, seal slides down the grassy slope in our yard, porch naps, maybe friends around the fire pit. But lately, my mom and dad seem really stressed out by my siblings. I overhear things you know, especially when they think I’m sleeping. It’s this new driver thing. I’ve been driving with my brother, and he isn’t too bad, honestly. But, he is really pushing the envelop at night time, and I keep hearing how he has to rebuild their trust. He doesn’t lie, but he isn’t always forthcoming with the truth.

He went to Jackson Hole for ski racing Nationals in April with his sister, which really upset me, because the whole family went. I do not like being left behind. Ever. But since he got back, he has had a harder time following the rules, coupled with his new license, and there is a lot of yelling. Not at me of course. Never at me. I just do my thing and try to reduce everyone’s stress level by looking adorable, which is easy for me. I have been trained professionally in the canine arts. Some say I earned the equivalant to a Ph.D. For example, I can tell if someone’s blood pressure is too high or too low– or if they are anxious and need me to lay on their feet. I have the power to reduce negative vibes just by being fully present. Humans struggle with this I find, especially the older I get.

So back to my siblings. Last summer, they still wanted to go to the river with Mom and me or ride bikes with Dad. We would pick up some friends, blow up the river tubes, pack the very best snacks, for me and them. Then suddenly, they grew up. So fast. Like overnight it seems. Now, they want to be with their friends. They have jobs. They need money to pay for their skiing– I get it. Oh, do I get it. But still, I miss them. It’s part of growing up, sure. I mean, I had to leave the nest and earn a living after I completed my training. But when you are puppies together, growing up can have its transitional challenges. I do like when they bring their friends over to hang in the garage or sometimes out at the tree house. I also like when they lay on the floor with me still and scratch my belly. They don’t really like me in their rooms anymore, which I try to understand. Teenagers need privacy apparently.

Pretty sure my parents are going to buy some cameras just to help keep an eye on things outside. I try to sleep with one eye open, but, honestly, I’m pretty out cold by 730 pm on the couch. Luckily, they are close in age and generally together within their friend group so that helps. At least this summer we had the World Cup to watch together, and also Ted Lasso. The family rewatched the series to be ready when the new one launches Aug. 5. This show helped to return the kids to the couch with us some evenings and much less scary than Stranger Things.

My sister works at an ice cream shop called Scoop Dogg’s, and on special days when I go with Mom to pick her up, they sometimes surprise me with a Pup Cup. Her boss loves dogs, and my photo hangs on the wall with tons of other dogs (and one cat) almost like wallpaper. The other night we were there waiting for her, and it was 1130 pm. Mom couldn’t believe how many people were out and about in our little town so late at night. While we prefer to spend our summer nights on our porch or around a fire pit or kitchen tables or on the couch, there are a lot of young people and tourists who seemed very happy to be out and about.

Dad doesn’t remember his curfew at his age, but Mom’s was midnight so that is what they are going with. Like Gram used to say, nothing good happens after midnight. But one night, they were at a fire at friend’s house, and they texted to see if they could stay longer. The rule is that they have to call because our parents won’t hear texts when they are sleeping. Well, when mom woke up, they weren’t home and she was some mad. Let me tell you. That was over July 4th when the trust cup needed some filling. So on this rainy day, this is where we are at. Filling the trust cup. Won’t be the last time. But, Mom and Dad are good at trying to keep the lines of communication open even when they don’t want to talk. Sometimes though, they will still come and hop in their bed and chat, but don’t tell anyone I shared that. Top secret information.

Until next time, I’ll keep the light on. Here they are the first night I arrived home to our family long ago.

Emmy, E-dog, Emdog, Emerson (named for an electric company in MA, not the transcendentalist)