Freeway Is A Dog

My mom had a serious stroke that left her paralyzed and aphasic in mid-1984. Her recovery, such as it was [the paralysis and aphasia stayed with her until she died in 1998 at age 62], was difficult on the family.

But during these times, I learned that even in tough times there is humor.

I used to drive my mom to her doctor's visits pretty frequently in that era, and once while we were coming back from the appointment, I told her that we were "getting on the freeway." To which she replied "Freeway is a dog." Puzzled, I said something to the effect that "yes, traffic sure can be a dog sometimes ..." And again she stated "No, freeway is a dog!" And I mumbled something about the traffic, and she again came back with "No, freeway is a dog ... on the TV." At this point I was seriously confused.

Later on, while we were watching Hart to Hart, I discovered what my mom was referring to. Freeway is the name of the dog on the show. Freeway, indeed, is a dog.