PECKING ORDER

Cheyenne had some very definite ideas about who belonged on the sofa and who on the floor...

CHEYENNE, IN THE OLDEN DAYS

Aaron's tireless protectress -- and ever-patient pillow and sufferer of baby hugs.

IN MEMORIAM, TO CHEYENNE

This was a wonderful dog, a true G-dsend to myself and the whole family. This sixty-pound package of long fur was an indispensable family member for twelve years: intelligent, gentle, sweet, well-behaved. She died last summer of very old age, but my heart still aches.

WE NEVER KNEW SQUIRRELS SMACK THEIR LIPS

Johnny the baby squirrel fell inside our chimney several weeks ago. We organized a massive rescue effort, extracted him, fed and housed him, and now he is best buddies with everyone on the placve, including snarly Harley, our unruly and very noisy dog. (More about "Snarles" later.)

Johnny is rapidly mastering all the requisite squirrelly skills like climbing and jumping, but so far, table manners seem to have eluded him. He scatters bits of food everywhere when he eats, and when he is enjoying something juicy, he smacks his lips.

Never thought a squirrel could do that...