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We left the apartment, hiked up the hallway and rode the elevator down to the lobby. We ventured outside and trekked through the park. Sam sat in his stroller holding Mondo. The stroller was stuffed with blankets, pillows and supplies for our campout.

“Mondo!” said Sam, waving him around in the air.

We passed Max’s house. We continued along until we reached Poppy’s. His garden is full of old trees and lots of flowers. He knows the name of every flower and every tree. He’s tried to teach me, but I can never remember them. All I know is that he has a chestnut tree, some oak trees and a bunch of crab-apple trees. Poppy has lived in the same house since my dad was a kid. That’s a long time.

We walked around the side of the house into the backyard. The tent was set up under the oak tree, back by the shed. The tent was orange and looked like a dome. Four folding chairs and a folding table were set up in front of it. Poppy sat on one of the chairs, reading. Rupert sat on his lap.

“Hello, campers!” said Poppy, closing his book and standing up to greet us. Rupert jumped off his lap.

“Rupert!” I said. “Who’s a good dog?”

“Woopah!” said Sam.

“That’s right, little bean,” Poppy said to Sam. “Rupert is the best dog in the whole wide world.”

Rupert ran to Sam and put his paws up on the stroller, his tail wagging like crazy. Sam held Mondo up in the air. Rupert took Mondo in his mouth and gave him a good shake. Sam laughed.

“This is great, Poppy,” I said, walking around the tent and checking it out. “Are we all going to sleep out here, even Rupert?”

“You’ll sleep in the tent with Sam and your dad,” said Poppy. “Rupert is going to sleep in the house with me.”

“Let’s unpack the stroller and put our stuff in the tent,” said Dad.

“We’re going to have a barbecue tonight,” said Poppy. “Who wants hot dogs?”

“Doggy!” said Sam.

Rupert tilted his head, waiting.

Poppy says Rupert is smarter than Sam. Dad says Sam is smarter than any of us. It’s hard to know who’s right.