"Yes, that's exactly what I said," Percy answered, "but I told you that your father can be very silly. We'll just have to keep telling him until he learns."
He ruffled the boy's head and the pats Cass's back before walking to the living room. "Plato doesn't bite, but he gets very excited, and loves to run. He gets bored, because neither I nor you dad spends too much time playing with you. You could help us out and play with him, making sure he gets some exercise. I'm sure that your dad might consider an allowance if you do that."
Reaching the living room, he crouched in front of Plato, petting him while holding his collar. "Come closer and let him smell your hand."