Swiftcurrent Creek from the mouths of babes

Bazi finally smiled and Relonikiv gave a happy bark, his own grin broadening and his tail still whirling. "Heppy Both!" he declared, pushing off her to stand on all fours again but still looking up at her. She praised him and he glowed. He only understood a third of the words, yet the sentiment was pretty clear.

"O-kay," he replied, enunciating it clearly. "Me thmart?" he questioned almost bashfully. He was pretty sure he understood what it meant and that it was a good thing. "Thmart, thmart, thmart!" That word was fun to say, especially over and over and over.