No Settler of Disputes

This nanny would like to state for the record that she does not consider dogs to be legitimate witnesses in settling disputes between 6 and 8 year olds.

Especially not this dog. Pepper is loyal. Pepper is loving. Pepper will give you the saddest puppy dog eyes, laying with her head on the ground beneath her paws, looking up at you with her round, brown globes. Sweet as she is, this makes her no settler of disputes. She just wants a cheeto.

Scene: Children and dog running about, zigging into the kitchen, zagging around the Apple computer, singing a song from “Tangled,” but inserting the dog’s name into the lyrics in random places.  Vibrato sounds from the 8 y.o. The 6 y.o. echoes back.  They stop singing momentarily to discuss which person and canine is playing which “Tangled” character. Their tones, serious, quickly turn to brother-sister bicker-banter. I listen in to see if nanny restitution is necessary when I hear…

6: No you should be Flynn Rider! Or maybe Pepper could be…

…More hushed bicker-banter. Volume increases. Intonation rises and falls…

8: But PEPPER heard me! She understands, she can back me up!

I had to step in to calm the waters at this point. The jury is still out on Pepper’s testimony.