One July afternoon this summer Huck compared coming home from college to having been on a trampoline for many months and getting used to the fun, unnatural feeling of jumping high into the air over and over again. Returning home was like suddenly getting off the trampoline and adjusting to the normal ground and rules of gravity, making it a little difficult to walk at first.

He’s been home since early May, so it’s safe to assume he’s quite accustomed to the solid earth beneath his feet by now. As he nears his return to the trampoline life in 11 days, Troy and I are getting extra hugs, affection, and quality time. Most nights, right as we’re about to turn on BritBox for another exciting British procedural, Huck enters the room with a flourish, makes the dog bark excitedly, and plops onto the couch for deep conversation.

People have asked us if Huck has changed since going to college, and while there’s so much about him that’s the same (luxurious hair, cup hoarding, a penchant for lounging around with his phone like Ennui from “Inside Out 2”), there’s one striking difference I’ve watched develop over the summer: He’s sometimes sweet to Otis. He invented a little game with him, praises his rare obedience, lets him outside halfway through the day now that we’re back at work, accompanies me on late afternoon dog walks, and laughs pretty hard at his antics. While none of this seems like anything special, trust me. It would be like me being nice to a snake.

And speaking of Huck’s little corgi brother, this summer Otis discovered the joy of our bathtub. He technically can jump in without assistance, as I’ve discovered him in there unexpectedly a few times, but he really prefers to be lifted up and plopped gently down. Running a little water makes the experience extra exciting, as does washing him with a cloth. Post-bathtub (with or without water) sends him speeding through our house like a maniacal tri-colored rocket.

Earlier this summer I asked Troy why Huck often lacks a sense of urgency in matters that require it, and he sang these Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young lyrics to me, which I would like to now dedicate to both Huck & Otis:

Don’t you ever ask them why

If they told you, you would cry

So just look at them and sigh

And know they love you.