"In my lap I had my dear little pug, the smell of whose ears will always be sweeter to me than all the perfumes of Araby and the scent of heliotrope combined."

— Kathryn Davis (Versailles)

The pugs come for a bit of playtime. They run amok in the yard, while Baker watches. He is not curious or even interested in playing but rather just sits and watches, wanting them to just leave his space. I get this, as I am often the same way. Give me the quiet of the house or garden and I am a happy woman. Lately we have done a bit of upgrading to the house and there has been strangers in and out, working in my peaceful place. I am happy they are done.

After the pugs leave I watch as Baker checks out the new smells these two deposited in his yard. Later, as we are settled in to relax, he sleeps between us on the couch, relieved it is just the three of us once more.

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