I'm awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award! Woof!

I'm becoming more and more famous... but don't worry, I can handle it! I don't let the fumes go to my head!

This time I've been awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award! Aha! As if they had to tell me that I'm creative! Of course I'm creative--I'm a golden, for heaven's sakes!

To commemorate the moment, I decided to take a mud bath! Woof!

Okay, so I guess I should thank the two lovely ladies who honored me with the award...
Two wonderful, terrific, awesome, exquisite authors...
L. Diane Wolfe and Linda M. Faulkner!
They're smart too, since they picked me!

And now I get to give the award to a blogger of my choice (this is exciting!)...
So here it goes...
I give the Kreativ Award to.... (drumroll please!)

Maris the Rat
and to
Angel and Sadie
and to
Willow the Dandy

Congrats, my four-legged friends!

Woof! Woof!
Amigo

Review of Dog Nanny, by Ann Whitaker

Hey, pets and humans... my mom just reviewed Ann Whitaker's romantic comedy, DOG NANNY. I thought I'd post it here for your reading pleasure. The book kept my mom smiling so it must have been fun!

Ann's doggies, Joli and Mardi, were my guests here last week. Don't miss the interview!

Woof! Woof!

No more delays! Here's the review:

When Julie Shields temporarily loses her job as a vet technician, Fate throws in her way an opportunity to make some good money training two poodles living with a rich couple in a mansion in Waco, Texas.

What does she have to lose? Julie loves dogs and, after all, she has a lot of experience in dog training. Besides, training those two poodles, Nacho and Blanco, appears to be the only way to save the rich couple's marriage. To add to this, Julie is in search of a husband... so who knows what else Fate could bring her way?

Indeed, when pilot Nick Worthington arrives at the airport to fly her to Waco, Julie is instantly taken by him, even though he's a little too infuriating for her taste. He has a great sense of humor, but he's also too sure of his good looks. Soon, however, Nick becomes a suspect in illegal trafficking. Being pulled into a vortex of mystery and trying to train two delinquent poodles in only one month isn't an easy job, even for a feisty, born-again virgin like Julie.

This romantic comedy will be especially enjoyed by dog lovers. Talented author Ann Whitaker has created a delightful story featuring two sympathetic protagonists and a couple of adorable, uncontrollable doggies that will keep readers laughing along the way. The dialogue is witty, the situations humorous, and the events move at an agreeable pace. A fun, hearty read!

--Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

Interview with Susie, proud owner of author Maureen Lang

Woof! Let me introduce you to a very special guest... her name is Susie and she's the proud owner of Christian author Maureen Lang. Maureen's latest novel, Look to the East (Book I of her Great War series) , has just been released by Tyndale House last month. Visit Maureen and learn all about her work and her love for Belgian waffles (I don't blame her one bit!) at www.maureenlang.com and www.maureenlang.blogspot.com. She can also be found on Facebook!

In Susie's own words...

I was born in Michigan, about five hours away from my home with Maureen. After I was born, I remember hearing the nice lady who took care of me tell Maureen on the phone that all her puppies have great dispositions - whatever that means. She had her eye on me and one of my sister's when she told Maureen about me. So one day Maureen's son came to visit me, and my sister, too. He could only choose one of us, although I do remember him asking his dad if he could take both of us, and him getting no for an answer - but it was reluctant no, let me tell you.

My sister kept wanting to chew on their shoes, so I think that's why they chose me, because I've always been so well behaved. I'm not bragging, it's just a fact. Maureen tells me all the time what a GOOD DOG I am, so it has to be true.

So they picked me from the bunch and I came home. And guess what? My sister lives next door, and my brother across the street. We get together sometimes to run around and tire each other out.

I'd love to tell you a little about Maureen. First of all, she loves God and dogs. That's important. Next, she loves her family: three kids, her husband. And me, of course! She pretty much takes care of all of us as far as eating goes, and cleaning up after us. She's also always been a writer. And I don't mean just since I came to live with her! She tells people all the time about how she's always liked to write and tell stories. In the past few years she's had several books published: The Oak Leaves is a big favorite with people, and her newest book is called Look to the East. She loves the First World War setting, and this is the first of three books set back then. I know she loves all her book covers, but so far there aren't any dogs on them, which is a drawback I'm working on with her...

That's quite an intro, Suzie. Thanks! So tell us, what's it really like living with Maureen?

I don’t know how it is for some of my four-legged-counterparts, but living here is really the life! Maureen likes to get up early (I’m sure the jingly tags around my neck don’t wake her when I answer a scratch at 5 a.m., she just naturally wakes up around then anyway). I very gently place just my nose right next to her on the edge of the bed, to make sure she knows it’s time for our walk. The creative mind works best in the morning, you know! She truly loves our walks; she listens to music that I can only barely hear from her headphones. Sometimes we come across other dogs in the neighborhood and she doesn’t like to stop, even though I would certainly be a little more friendly than that, but still, it’s nice to get home quickly because I know breakfast awaits!


But of course! Breakfast is the best thing about mornings. What do you do after breakfast while Maureen writes her novels?

There are four kinds of floors on the main level of our house; plush carpeting, flat carpeting (I think she calls it Berber), tile and wood. She works above the wood floor, and that’s my second choice. Sometimes I lay right behind her chair while she sits at the computer. But most of the time I’m right outside the double doors to her study. That’s where the floor is tile, and I’m telling you, winter or summer, that’s the best place to be. I can hear everything from any where in the house, look out the windows beside the front door (I like to see who might be passing by, and greet them with a little woof), all the while enjoying that cool tile. There’s just nothing better—well, except on a really warm day, cool air floats up to comfort me from one of those slats in the floor. In the winter it’s warm air, but even that is a comfort to me.


I myself like the hardwood floor. Keeps my back in good shape. Between you and me, does Maureen cry when she reaches 'The End'?

My Maureen just isn’t a crier. More often, she laughs. She doesn’t write funny books, mind you, but she just gets so tickled when stories start writing themselves that she sits there and smiles, sometimes laughs right out loud. I like that. I’m a wiggler myself, which is the canine laugh. It’s more than a tail wag, it’s a wiggle.

My mom gets scared when she writes her horror. She's like a kid. Thank God she has me to protect her. So, tell us about your author's latest novel, Look to the East, and where it's available!

Her new book is the first of a three book series, which means she’s too busy to take me on more than one walk per day. Sigh. However, it also means she’s happy, because she’s always happiest when she’s working (everyone in the house knows that!). This first book in the Great War Series is called Look To The East, and it’s about a girl who lives in a little village in Northern France. It starts in 1914, when everyone in France is looking to the east to see what Germany will do next. Just as the First World War starts, there is a man who gets caught behind the fighting lines, and the girl in France helps him. They fall in love, of course, but I know there are a lot of dangerous things that happen because one day Maureen was laughing right out loud, saying to me: “If I didn’t know better, Sooz, I’d think every last character in this book was doomed, absolutely doomed! But don’t worry, there’s a happy ending ahead.”

I never worry about happy endings; we’re all living one here.

Hmm... Being the tough macho golden that I am, I like tough war stories, not softy love tales... How influential were you in the plot's development?

I like to think I’m the inspiration behind every book Maureen writes. In all modestly, really, where would she be if she didn’t have my unconditional love, my constant faith in her? Sure, her husband and kids give her some of that, but to tell you the truth nobody in the whole world looks at her the way I do. And without my absolute adoration, I just don’t think she’d have the confidence to write a word, not a single word.

On Maureen's website there's a photo of her eating waffles in Brussels. What's that about and why didn't she stop over and pay me a visit? I could have used those waffles (even though everybody at home insists I'm on a diet)!

Last year, Maureen took a research trip to Northern France (the setting for Book One, Look To The East) and Brussels, Belgium (the setting for Book Two, as yet untitled). She came home with lots of pictures, all excited about getting the “feel” for the new books. I’m sure she would have loved stopping by to see a fellow book lover, but Brussels is so far away from home I’m glad she came back as soon as she could. I was left behind, you know. And I’ve heard Europe is so dog-friendly, too! I would have like to go, because those Belgian waffles really DO look scrumptious!

Is Maureen as stable as she looks in that photo?

If you don’t count how she worries about things, I’d say Maureen is pretty stable. She knows she shouldn’t worry (about her books, her kids, the future) because our Creator is right there in the past, present and future, and has it all under control. But still, she frets. More so when she’s not working, so we’re all happier when she’s deeply involved in one of her stories.

Tell us something about Maureen nobody knows. Come on--you're here to spill the beans!

Okay, I’ll tell you something nobody else knows, except me. I hesitate to say anything because it’s not a happy secret, but it might give you a clue about why Maureen’s a writer. Remember I said Maureen just isn’t a crier? Well, that’s not always true. Sometimes when we take a walk and there are kids playing football, or riding by on bikes, or if we’re driving and we happen to pass the local school with a bunch of kids out on the playground, I see some tears on her cheeks. Not every time, of course, but sometimes when there are kids the same age as our Grant. He has Fragile X Syndrome, you see, which means his brain doesn’t work like everybody else’s. He can’t talk or run like other kids. But I have a special place in my heart for him because not only does he love to play “Go Fetch” but he’s the best one in the house for slipping food my way. (I actually don’t think Maureen knows just how many goodies Grant sends my way, so I won’t tell her about that.) Anyway, we all love Grant but sometimes when Maureen sees kids who are Grant’s age who can do a lot of the things Grant can’t do — like going to a regular school, or playing football, or riding a bike with friends — well, Maureen cries. I think she wants all that for him, even though both of us know when we all get to Heaven he’ll be able to do that and more. Sometimes it must seem like a long wait until then, I guess.

And that’s why I think Maureen is a writer. Because even though she might not show all of the emotions she feels to anyone else but me, she feels them all right and likes to write about them.

Woof! :-)

Thanks for sharing that, Susie (sniff, sniff). Did I say I'm a tough macho golden?

Interview with Jolie and Mardi, owners of author Ann Whitaker

Today I have two canine guests, Joli and Mardi, owners of human author Ann Whitaker. Anne has one romantic comedy out, DOG NANNY, currently being read by my own reviewer mom, Mayra Calvani.

Check out Ann Whitaker's cool links and be sure to check out her book!

www.AnnWhitaker.com
www.AnnWhitaker.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/AnnWhitaker1
http://myspace.com/AnnWhitaker


Welcome to my blog! It's a treat having you here. Let's start with Jolie. Tell me, how did you come to live with Ann?

Jolie Blon: I’m the love child, their “bestest girl in the world.” I’ve lived with my mom and dad since I was seven weeks old. Their whole world revolved around me until I was two. I even had my own puppy book.

Then, it all fell apart. One day they brought home this pound dog named Mardi Gras. I don’t know what they saw in him. He was really wild and dumb and made this “oogly face” where he bared his teeth for no reason. I quickly broke him of that. Then Mom took him to school so he could learn how to act around civilized people, but if you ask me, it just gave him the big head. He later worked as a pet therapy dog. He really thought he was special when he got to go to the hospital and the nursing home, while I stayed home.

Hmm. Have you ever heard of 'jealousy' therapy, Joli? Oh, never mind. I don't know what I would do if Mom brought home another dog... Like, could I handle it? Nooooooo! So, let's switch to Mardi. Your mom writes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and even songs! How does she have any time left for you?

Mardi: Not to brag, but I learned at a very early age how to handle women. One look at my little black eyes and ladies swoon. I’m also a very good kisser. So if my mom gets too wrapped up in her work, I jump on her lap and nudge her hands off the keyboard. She can’t resist petting my soft white fur.

About a year ago, I developed diabetes. So now I’m on a special diet and get shots twice a day, in addition to having my blood glucose tested. Because of my special needs, my mom has to pay a lot more attention to me than she does Jolie. Ha. I even get to sleep in the bed.

Sorry to hear about the diabetes. That must be hard! So I hear your mom has a romantic comedy just published by The Wild Rose Press, Dog Nanny. Tell us about it! It sounds like quite a riot! (my mom keeps laughing while reading it)

Jolie: I don’t understand why our mom wanted to write about those make-believe poodles when she has me. I’m smaller and lots cuter.

The dogs in Mom’s book, Dog Nanny, are named Noche and Blanco because one is black and the other white. They’re clipped like giant bichons—real Texas big-hair—and they’re very bad dogs. Why, they’ve failed so many obedience classes that their dad threatens to get rid of them. They use the furniture for doggy trampolines and jump in people’s laps without permission.

Not only that, they’re interfering with their owners’ love life, if you get my meaning. So their mom hires a nanny who has one month to train them. If that doesn’t work, they’ll be doggies of divorce or maybe out on the street where they won’t know where their next bone is coming from.

Mardi: It’s also a love story (gag). The trainer girl falls for this pilot, and they kiss with their lips. Jolie liked that part (cause she’s a girl), but my favorite scene was where the dogs went bye-bye in the car and got stopped by the cops. The nanny also tell the owners it’s important to neutral your pets. We got neutraled before we were a year old, so we think that’s probably good advice.

Jolie (rolling her eyes): I told you he was a dumbo. He means “neutered.”

Please, guys, show some control... I hear your mom plays the guitar. Between you and me, is she any good? My mom sounds like she's killing a cat when she plays the violin (not that I don't relish the sound).

Jolie: Amigo, you crack me up. Why don’t you come live with us? And I’ll send Mardi to your house. Can you believe Mardi likes cats? He once had a cat friend!

Our mom used to have a mutt dog who howled when she played the harmonica, but she doesn’t play that or the violin these days, thank goodness. And she’s not so hot on the guitar either.

We do like it when she sings and dances with us. She named me after a song. “Jolie Blon” is the name of a Cajun waltz and means “pretty blonde.” The name fits me well, since I’m a natural blonde with big brown eyes, and very pretty. Did I mention I’m a miniature poodle with papers? And highly educated. Since Mardi was a street dog, his lineage is questionable, though he looks like a poodle. I call him “dirty white boy.”

You're also very modest, Joli. So tell me, Mardi, is Ann as stable as she looks in her photo?

Mardi: Stable? You must be kidding. She taught high school English for 30 years! No one who does that can be stable.

Good point! When my mom does school visits, she comes back home looking like a grenade truck her. I keep telling her that dogs are better than children... So, what do you do to attract your mom's attention when she's pounding away on the computer? Share with other canines your most sadistic tactics.

Jolie: When I was younger I liked to shred tissue and chew on her shoes. Nowadays, I perch on the back of the couch where I can look out the big window and bark at nothing, just to irritate her. When the mailman drives up, I go ballistic. Sometimes Mom yells at me to be quiet or hisses at me like she’s the Dog Whisperer. Hah! I just bark louder. I also like to knock the pillows off the couch.

Mardi: My favorite trick is to stare at her and growl really low so she thinks I need something. If I stare at her long enough, she’ll sometimes give me what she calls a non-glycemic treat, like a piece of asparagus.

We both love to ring the bell to go outside, just to see how many times we can make her get up. She’s very well trained.

(With horror) Asparagus?! You must be joking! I pity you. Tells us something about Ann nobody else knows.

Jolie: She used to be a real party animal (snort).

Mardi: Yeah, and she once ran six miles dressed as a lobster. She says she was really hot.

Well, Amigo, we’re really are happy you gave us this chance to talk about our mom. We’d like to close with a reminder to all of you who have writer-moms and dads to train them well and be sure they have enough to drink. They have a rough life. Imagine sitting at a computer all day when you could be sleeping, barking, chasing cats, or rolling in dead stuff.

Gotta run now. We’re late for our naps!

Thanks for stopping by, Jolie and Mardi! You're quite an adorable duo!!!

Interview with Sadie, Donna Shepherd's cool Labradoodle

Sadie is a big, loveable two-year old Labradoodle. She's always watchful over her owner, Donna Shepherd, author of children's and inspirational books. Visit Donna at http://www.donnajshepherd.com or http://www.topsyturvyland.com.

Sadie's friend, Angel, who also shares their household, has a book coming by Guardian Angel Publishing: Poodle & Doodle. Sounds like fun!

Sadie has her own blog (you rock, girl!) at

http://www.poodleanddoodle.blogspot.com

Welcome to my blog, Sadie! I love your picture at the computer, hard at work (or at least, pretending). So tell us what's it like living with Donna Shepherd.

My owner, Donna, tells me all the time how much she loves me. She kisses my nose and under my ears for some reason. Kinda tickles, but it still feels good. I don't know how well she writes, but she really knows how to take care of me, so I try to be a good dog. That picture she sent of me is when I was a puppy, but as you can tell, I was already trying to help.

The truth, Sadie. Are you the boss of her?

Of course, Mom would say 'no' but we all know better. All if have to do is nudge her with my wet brown nose and she goes all gooey. She tries to get me to talk to her, so sometimes I make growly noises. She thinks I'm talking so we're both happy.

What type of books does your human mom write?

My mom writes for children and grownups, so every day is different. I do know one thing, when she gets that faraway look in her eyes, I know she's headed to Topsy Turvy Land. No attention for me for a while.

What do you do for amusement while Donna pounds at the computer all day and ignores you?

When mom starts to ignore me too much, I bring my favorite ball and drop it at her feet. If that doesn't work, I start picking on one of the other dogs. When we get rambunctious, she sighs – really loud! – and gets up to let us out. Works every time.

Does Donna let you sit on her lap while working at the computer?

I'm way too big now to sit in Mom's lap. I heard her tell someone I weigh 75 pounds. Is that a lot? I've tried to get in her lap before though. I mean, the other dogs get to all the time. Angel, the poodle, really aggravates me. She and I don't get along. The Boston terrier, Ariel, can be fun. She snorts and head-butts Angel sometimes, so I think that's hilarious. But then Angel jumps up into Mom's lap for protection, so the game's over.

What is the best part of having an author as a mom? The worse part?

The best part is that I always know where to find her – at her desk pounding away on those keys. Sometimes she has snacks on the desk, and when she walks away, I managed to snag a few bites. She gets mad at me, but I can't help myself.

I can't think of a bad part. Mom keeps me supplied with rawhide bones. She's always at the house, so I get to be with her all the time. I like that.

Thanks for the interview, Sadie! Woof!

Interview with Boo, Angel Leigh McCoy's cat

Give a warm welcome to Boo, a black and white cat who loves to groom herself and is not ashamed to show it, as you can see in the photo. Boo is here today to spill the beans on Angel Leigh McCoy, a horror writer and game designer (how cool is that!). Angel can also be found at Wily Writers, so be sure to check her work. Boo also talks about PAWS, the government's super secret cat agency. I, of course, knew about this agency, being with the CIA and all...

Bio:

Bobbi Boo was born in the summer of 2007. The truth of what she did and where she went during those first few months is a matter of national security and need-to-know only. In January 2008, she took a new assignment as bodyguard to Angel Leigh McCoy, speculative fiction writer and Wily Writers head editor. At that point, her life became a matter of public record—one of the drawbacks of cohabitating with a writer.

Boo lives in Seattle, WA, USA, where she has distinguished herself with unprecedented acts of bravery and tenderness. She is currently working on becoming a world-renowned yoga master and extra-dimensional cabinet explorer.

What’s with your name? Did Angel choose it? What has that done to your self esteem and what does that say about her?

First, Amigo, let me say what a delight it is to be here. I read your blog every day. Now, to answer your question, the people at PAWS (the government’s super secret cat agency) named me Bobbi because I have no tail. Is that tragic, or what? They thought they were being clever. Then, when Angel came along, she expanded my name to Bobbi Boo, and she calls me her Boo. I like that better. It fits me because I’m spooky.

Angel and I play Peek-a-Boo, and she sings me the Scooby-Boo song. When she comes home, she shouts, “Hey, Boo-Boo!” And I reply, “Hey, Yogi.”

Sorry to hear about your tail. One of my guests this September is a blind cat. So, tell me the truth, is Angel as disciplined as she said she was in her last interview?

We have two types of day here in the Boo-Angel household. On the first type of day, it’s like this: sleep, computer, bacon factory, computer, sleep. Basically, between the time she spends sitting in my chair at the computer, Angel leaves and goes to work. I never actually see any bacon, but she goes so she can bring some home—or so she says. She writes for them, and they give her bacon. It’s pretty cool, when you think about it. I bet you like bacon, don’t you, Amigo? Heck. Who doesn’t like bacon?!

During the second type of day, she doesn’t leave my chair except to visit either her litter box or her food box.

What are you talking about? I LOVE bacon, the greasier the better. But to go back to Angel, what do you do to annoy her? Give my readers some tricks.

I have a plethora of strategies for breaking her train of thought and ultimately annoying her. I’m just that good. Take notes.

Sometimes, I sit on the back of her chair so she has to be very careful not to knock me off. (That one may be a little tough for you, since you’re not a cat, but give it a try anyway.) Other times, I walk on her keyboard. She hates that, but it gets her attention.

Stretching up her leg or arm makes her stop what she’s doing and look at me, every time. The claws don’t have to come out for it to work, but it’s fun to snag her clothes and pull on her. She never ignores that.

When all else fails—and this is the best—I take a single claw, and I stick it into her big toe. She’s all mine then. All mine.

Ha, ha. Very evil. Good work, Boo. Does Angel ask your advice when she’s stuck? Does she even listen?

To be honest, I don’t know. She talks all the time. I tune her out. On and on, blah blah blah. She’s worse than the squirrels, always chittering. Frankly, it’s a good thing she has me, or people would think she was crazy.

I know what you mean. My mom is a chatterbox... What advice would you give to those pets that have to live with irrational, insufferable, egotistical authors?

Get a hobby or five. Squirrel- and bird-watching are great fun. I also highly recommend meditation (a.k.a. sleeping) and Zen sand gardening. Of course, there’s always yoga. I bet you’ve got downward-facing dog licked, huh. When all else fails, work on your Cuteness Factor™. It’ll get you everywhere. Na-mew-ste!

Woof! Woof! Thanks, Boo.

Interview with Lydia, Arlene Sachitano's tuxedo cat

Lydia is the feline companion of mystery author Arlene Sachitano. When she's not writing her novels, she authors she story part of the Storyquilts Lucy Winters Mystery block of the month series. Check out her novel, Quilt As Desired.

Arlene's publisher, Zumaya Publications, is one of my mom's publisher's too... Cool!

In Lydia's own words...

My name is Lydia and as you can see I’m a black and white tuxedo cat. My early years were spent living with a group of college students. When they graduated, I was unceremoniously dumped at the Oregon Humane Society, which I have to say, was quite beneath my social standing. Fortunately I found another situation with a family (the Sachitano’s) who were at that point in time petless. I’ve let them live with me for the last seven years. It has taken a lot of effort on my part but I’ve just about gotten them whipped into shape.

Welcome to my blog, Lydia! No preambles here: Are you the boss of Arlene?

I do think of it as an employer, employee relationship.

What type of books does your human mom write?

My female human writes murder mysteries, although with all those quilter’s they are a bit cozy for my tastes. I’ve given her many demonstrations on killing using my toy mouse and occasionally the real thing, but she just keeps saying “that’s too graphic for my audience.” What a bunch of wimps!

What does your mom do besides writing? Is she a hermit or does she actually set her foot outdoors? My mom has to be dragged outside.

My human knits a lot! I must say knitting is rather fun, especially when I bite the yarn in half and run away. She gets sooo upset, it’s really a hoot! But I digress. . . We have a country home near the Oregon coast and my human teaches knitting there. I love the country, once a lizard got in our house and I ate all of it except its tail, which I left to show my human. I could do without the 75 mile drive, though. I only tolerate the drive if my human plays a book on tape that I like. I really prefer Harry Potter or any book read by a British reader. When my human turns the book off for any reason, I yowl until she puts it back on. This method which works like a charm, I might add. My male human took me without a book once and I almost wore my voice out telling him about it.

I like to stare at my mom while she writes to make her aware that she’s ignoring me and make her feel guilty. What do you do to annoy Arlene while she writes?

Oh, darling, I can do much better than stare. I do see myself as an integral part of the editing process (who knows what she’d write if I didn’t censor her work), so whenever my human gets her laptop out, I come running. I can tell you my fool proof approach: (not that I’m saying you’re a fool, even if you are a dog), I sneak up on the back of the sofa and then turn around and slide tail first down my human’s chest until I’m right between her hands. I hook my claws in her shoulder to check my slide and voila! I’m right in the middle of things.

My human writes quilting mystery stories so we usually make a quilt to go with each book. I’m quite the designer if I do say so myself. For the quilt on the front edge of Quilt As Desired, (we give the pattern away at signings) it was my idea to leave off the final pieces which resulted in angled corners.

Of all your mom’s books, which one is your favorite? Why?

Hmmm, that’s a toughie, in my human’s quilt mystery series, the first one, Quilt As Desired, does feature a cat named Fred who gets to attack a dog. I did encourage that. In the second book in the series, all the characters went to an out of town folk art school, and the cat got left home. That didn’t seem fair.

(Attack a dog, huh? Obviously Lydia likes to fantasize too much...)