Virtual Dog Sitting

Another entry into the Thurber Summer Letter series as I bombard my unsuspecting nephew with tales from home. My nephew has not responded, but I will include anything he sends back to me in response to these insane letters.

For those of you who asked, he is 14. He has yet to learn who James Thurber is. I sent him a copy of “Carnival” this week. Here is the letter.

Dear E, the Astute Adventurer of the Appalachian Trails,

In this modern age, technology knows no bounds! Here I sit, deep in the heartland, embracing my new role as a cybernetic canine caretaker, or as I prefer to call it, a virtual dog-sitter. You heard it right, my boy, your Cousin’s dog, Spot, is currently under my distant yet watchful eye, courtesy of FaceTime!

A world away in Seattle, Spot is on the screen, a fluffy figure on a virtual pedestal. From the comfort of my home office in St. Louis, I’m tuned into his every movement (or lack thereof), reveling in the simplicity of his canine existence, which mainly involves snoozing.

Throughout the day, while I navigate my work, Spot becomes an unlikely co-worker. His ears perk up as I talk to my colleagues, perhaps thinking it’s your cousin or just intrigued by the strange voices emanating from the iPad screen. He listens intently, tilting his head to one side, a picture of furry concentration.

And then there’s music time. I wish you could see Spots’ tail thump when his favorite tunes play through Apple Music! Be it the upbeat rhythm of…