What Oli is really saying is ...

 The water in the pot was boiling. I had the dried pasta in the measuring cup and the tomatoes and spinach all set the go. I pulled out a serving size of frozen meatballs. Dinner, all organized and neat, was all set to be cooked. And then Oli started "talking". Talking for Oli is a steady stream of mumbling and grumbling that vary in tones and inflections. It is sort of similar to a long, drawn out string of vowels being sung out. 

While it is comical to hear, my Saturday night meal was delayed because the interpretation of this chorus of vowels is: Take me outside. Now. That is not a request. 

So I flicked the stove burner to turn off, shut off the lights, pulled on my coat, clipped on Oli's leash and we headed out into the night. My patience was already at an all time low but then Oli wanted to sit in the middle of street, wanted to check out the storm drain to see if any wildlife decided to put in an appearance, wanted to lie down and observe the traffic whizz by. My impatience burned to a fiery degree. We marched down the street to check out an an empty, weed and gopher hole infested lot before heading back to home. My hope soared that Oli would just climb up the steps and stand by the door but that was immediately squashed because he just strolled past to go to the nearby neighbor. I wanted to curse the heavens. I even glared up at the stars at one point while Oli enjoyed sniffing some frozen, dead grass. Don't curse, I told myself, and don't get mad. What does anger really get me anyway? Oli decided to return home and I did get to cook and eat dinner. He sat underneath my chair and resumed his song of mumbles and grumbles but this time the inflection meant, please give me some of your food. Other than cheese and peanut butter, I don't like giving Oli human food so I occasionally let him eat a single piece of his dog food kibble. He looked at me with his huge, doe-eye, pleading expression and I couldn't believe I was frustrated with him just a little big  ago. Oli is my small, fluffy, cute-as-a-bug toddler. He could try the patience of Job but he will steal your heart, and probably your meal, with just one look and a small grumble.