Slap Happy in Pacifica

My friend Cleo, aka Boss Lady, is a fun and yet complicated character. We all have our little quirks and one of Cleo's is that, well, she just loves to be slapped while she eats. It is not my place to question, but merely oblige. So every morning at breakfast I kneel beside her and smack her smartly on the rump while she chomps on her kibble and writhes with ecstasy. To each his own, right?

I've learned not to do this at any time other than mealtime though, or I could lose an eye with one swipe of her paw. It's all very specific...

What's wrong with this picture?

No animals anywhere in sight!

After a few weeks of traveling through Portugal, I am once again astounded how few animals I encountered. A few stray cats in the Azores, and perhaps a dozen dogs in all. But they have that peculiar way of looking straight through me that I find so unsettling. I love traveling but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to go without animal contact for so long. Perhaps I'll start a new service for small dogs - Come With Me - for those who wish their dogs to become more culturally well rounded. A week in Aix de Provence, or 10 days touring the Greek Isles. Hmm, I may be on to something here...