A group of women sit around a table playing cards at Jane Pratt’s home in Auburn as a pair of dachshunds sit on their laps. Beemer, a black long-haired dachshund, and companion Abby Labbe are regulars at the games, which are held nearly every afternoon.

The dogs belong to Pratt’s former neighbors, who bring them to visit a couple days a week.

“They are part of our group,” Pratt said. “It works out just great for everyone. We get some company, the dogs are not left alone and the owners don’t have to find somebody to take care of them while they are at work or traveling.”

The women, all in their 80s and 90s, started the card parties about nine years ago after meeting through a weekly Craft Club at the YWCA.

The game of choice is Skip-Bo.

“We once played for pretty high stakes, a nickel a game, but now we just play for fun.” Pratt said. “It’s a social thing. We all live alone and like to get out and talk about what’s going on. Quite often it’s about our various ailments, but we have a good time joking about it. We tease each other, but it’s all good-natured fun.”

Quite often they swap recipes, and somebody usually brings a treat.

“Of course, if somebody brings a container with goodies, we can’t send it home empty, so it gets filled the next time with a treat for them to bring home. One thing we never miss though is coffee at 3. Pretty soon we will be having it outside by the pool,” Pratt said.

There seems to be a card shark in the group.

Shirley Huntley wins the majority of games and has been labeled “Velcro fingers.”

During a recent game, she played an incorrect card, but quickly picked it up exclaiming, “Oops, I made a mistake.”

Hoots and hollers, laughter and giggles filled the room.

“OK, we have to write this down. Shirley made a mistake,” Adele Delmonico said.

The group roars again and the game continues with the dogs sitting placidly, often licking the hands and faces of their companions playing Skip-Bo.