Short-Leg Solidarity

Maple met Lauren's dog Blossom at the park today for the first time. They acted like they've known each other for years! It's short-leg solidarity.

Walking Maple I

Toad Skin

The following is a transcript of a text message that I received from Matt while in Atlanta shopping for my sister's wedding dress:

11:55pm Friday August 22

Youda been horrified

maple brought inside old toad carcass

and would not give it up

then it tasted sour

she shook head

like with apple spray

Maple loves to eat dead animals. My first experience with this disgusting habit was in Hutchinson, at Mom and Dad's house. She came to Mom and I with a cardinal crushed between her teeth. I started beating her with her (now defunct) stuffed walrus that we had bought at Starbucks for her drive from Newalla to Austin. (I think it was a save-the-whales promotional event?) Turns out that the only thing that will come between Maple and a dead animal is Apple Sour. This is the miracle product that we use to keep Maple from biting hands, shoes, rugs...and from eating dead animals. It apparently mimics the defense mechanism that toads have developed.