We, Who Stand A Watch Eternal, Salute You

Barley, a dog, is honored by a salute given by a sun-faded garden gnome.

I’m tickled by the prospect that this gnome believes himself to belong to some form of military hierarchy in which he is outranked by every single traveler who crosses his path. Certainly, this is the first time anyone has looked at Barley and concluded, “Hmm, yes, this one must have an officer rank.”