Laura Lippman is an author from the US who writes compelling detective stories. I’ve been getting hooked on the adventures of her Baltimore based female private investigator Tess Monaghan:
Baltimore Blues
Charm City
Butchers Hill
In Big Trouble
The Sugar House
In a Strange City
The Last Place
By A Spider’s Thread
No Good Deeds
Another Thing to Fall
Hardly Knew Her
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ6us_SdUa4&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Spook getting bigger, racing around and holding her own with tough Aunty Ebby while Boss watches on in the background.
A little while later, Spook was tired of playing chase but Ebby was still up for a game. Had to step in when it started getting a bit rough. They were very naughty too, digging a hole in the lawn.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q52q806imMg&w=425&h=344]
One thing I’ve noticed Spook isn’t in Boss’ face as much, she’s finally learned to show him some respect.
At church today the gospel reading was the old prodigal son story. Our priest put an interesting spin on it in his homily. He described it as a story about forgiveness and about choosing to make your own way in life.
The young prodigal son returns home utterly humbled after squandering all his money on fast living, not expecting much of a welcome. His father, however, is overjoyed that the son has returned home and throws a big party. The elder son is disgruntled because he has always been the “good” son, never getting special treatment despite always doing everything his father asks.
On the surface it does seem a little unjust. But when you think about it (and this is the point our priest made), the elder son’s life followed a safe and easy path. He lived his life the way he thought his father would approve. He never had to make any difficult choices. On the other hand, the young son lived a totally different life, he made mistakes but learned from his experience.
Spook is growing before our very eyes. She responds to her name and astonished everyone yesterday when I arrived home through the back door, she barked a warning until she knew it was me.
She howled the house down yesterday when Auntie Ebby turned nasty and bit her on the head again, narrowly missing her eye. Took her to the vet again, who commented that it was typical Staffy behaviour.
A couple of times I’ve taken Spook for walks around the yard to do her business, then been totally grossed out when I’ve caught her snacking on her own waste.
Did some reading and there are plenty of theories on why dogs do it. The most likely reason for Spook is that she is still a puppy, it’s the way mother dogs keep the litter clean. Hopefully she’ll grow out of the habit, with a bit of help.
Will be carrying a plastic bag with me next time I take Spook around the yard again, scoop it up before she gets a chance to sniff it.
Yesterday Spook copped a bite to the head from Ebby, who we think got nasty when she didn’t want to share the water bowl. Didn’t seem too bad, some grazing on the forehead, nose and corner of Spook’s mouth. Cleaned up with some Betadine and today H took Spooky to the vet to get checked out. Tightened up our vigilance when Ebby and the pup are together.
