Misunderstanding Grover

Grover gets such a bad rap. Sure, she's killed 12 or 13 squirrels (we've lost exact count). Her herding instincts have not won her many fans, either. And she has a particular beef against a colleague's dog (also a Border Collie) that she has yet to explain to me. She's got one hell of an inner bitch, that's for sure.

But she loves kids, especially babies. Our friends Matt and Kim Pedersen brought their ten month old daughter Audrey on their recent visit and the two got along famously. Grover was a good little mama dog, watching over Audrey and licking the extra morsels of food off her face. Kim wanted to dognap our girl, but I don't think Amtrak would allow them to sneak her onto the train home. They might have gotten more than they bargained for, anyway. (See first paragraph.)

Audrey is a very happy, alert kid. She's certainly won the parent lottery, and that's a good reason to be cheerful. No, Stephen and I are not turning to the dark side and reconsidering our canine-only lifestyle. But as a critical judge who has met many friends' babies, I would have to say Audrey's a keeper. Grover gives her two paws up.

(Photo by Stephen Wallace.)