The edu-ma-cation of Sassy . . .

Sassy, the newest addition to the House of Misfit Mammals, is a Peke of indeterminate years (we're estimating six, just to err on the side of old age) with a list of issues that will, I'm sure, eventually make our vet enough money to name a nice big boat after her. :-) A 'owner release' from a suspected backyard breeder, she came to us originally as a foster -- but once her medical problems started adding up, we ended up adopting her to try to take care of them.

Despite a complete aversion to grooming tools (she actually lunges to snap at a pair of scissors!), this little outdoor-kenneled-only-hates-other-female-dogs beastie continues to surprise us with her willingness to adapt to a more 'normal' home. (Well, if that's what you can call OUR home.)

To wit: over the past couple of days, she has started actively playing with Shiloh, our fox terrier/beagle mix. Mind you, playing usually involves her trying to jump on him -- fairly amusing, as it amounts to a human trying to jump a vault flat-footed -- and squeaking at him; Shiloh woofs back, and then Ruby (watching from a safe distance on the couch) barks at them frantically to stop the rough-housing. Then they all chase each other up and down our eight-foot-long hallway.

It's cute -- but it's eardrum-shattering. And, as they tend to initiate this when I'm trying to sleep, it's not as charming as it might be otherwise. But hopefully the newness will wear off and they'll choose more humane hours to play. Soon!

It's a story of a lovely lady . . .

who was bringing up three very lovely pets. . .

okay, maybe not so lovely. (The lady, not the pets.)

If you've found this, it's because you've been invited into the slightly off-axis world of:

Mary (she who must be obeyed, but often isn't)
Phil (he who should be a world-renowned photographer, but isn't -- yet)
Cosette (feline princess-in-residence)
Chloe (fat cat #1)
Calista (fat cat #2)
Ruby (canine princess-in-residence)
Sassy (our 'very special' canine)
Shiloh (canine Woody Allen, just missing the incestuous wife)

. . . and whoever, or whatever, else ends up sharing our home and disposable income.

More to come. Y'all come back now, you hear?