A few weeks ago, I noticed that every time the Puppy was left to his own devices, he would quickly remove his pants and would be seen running about the house without pants. Since the temperatures outside where not very summery, it was odd that he would choose to be so naked all day long.

So, the battle of wills began and I would chase him around the house (or my mom’s house because he did not discriminate over locations when he chose to remove his pants) and try to get him to redress. He would staunchly yell “NO!” and run away. Bribes like candy and special treats were the only way I could get him to put his pants back on for something important – like leaving the house to go to the store or to preschool.

Was he too hot and didn’t like the stuffiness of wearing pants? Finally, I asked him one day as he ran past me without pants.

Why do you keep taking off your pants?!?

He stopped. Princesses don’t wear pants.

Silence.

Princesses don’t wear pants?

Princesses don’t wear PANTS.

And you’re a princess?

I’m a princess!

I guess you’re right. Princesses don’t really wear pants do they?

It was interesting to realize that he’d thought about this. Really observed the princesses that he’d seen on the DVD movies that we owned – the Barbie Princess movies, Sleeping Beauty. He had examined carefully the Barbie that he’d gotten from Santa for Christmas (Yes. My 2 year old Puppy asked for a Princess from Santa.) And had thoughtfully concluded that Princesses didn’t wear pants. And if you were going to pretend that you were a princess that you shouldn’t wear pants either.