Ah, fall, the season of mild warm days and crisp nights, perfect for sleeping. The season of failing to find a parking space between the mountains of leaves in this city of trees. The season of outlining and fast-drafting the next installment in the Estela Nogales Mystery series. At least, usually. This year is a bit different. We’ve had few changes in the family configuration this year, which included the addition of a new baby puppy.

Ben is a ten-week-old cocker/poodle mix, and he’s full of piss and vinegar. And more piss. In answer to your first question, Shiner is intrigued and patient, but mostly annoyed.

I told myself that I would get nothing at all done the first two weeks with the new little one home. Yesterday marked the end of the two weeks, and I can honestly say that I nailed that. Got absolutely nothing done. The next 65,000 word mystery is outlined, but at an average of fewer than 65 words written a day for the last two weeks, this is not what anyone would call fast-drafting. I do hope you all will be patient.

We have made some progress in the house-training arena. Our goal was “no accidents!” What we have achieved is a mutually agreeable redefinition of the term “accident.” That carpet in the dining room had suffered more than it’s share of effluvial insults before Ben even arrived, and between him and a cat with sudden digestive issues, I’m afraid its useful life is over. The carpet is on its way to the gutter as we speak.

A new puppy involves a stunning amount of sitting on the floor, bending down to pick up any number of items, and stepping over twenty-four inch high indoor fences. I have already asked my yoga instructor for a position that will give me the strength and flexibility to quickly rise from a seated position on the floor while holding a wriggling seven pound puppy in such a way as to minimize the chances of an “accident” occurring during mid-rise (on the part of either the puppy or myself). She’s thinking about it.

After a recommendation from a knowledgeable friend (thanks, Allyssa!), a special toy was here when Ben arrived home. Called a “Snuggle-Puppy” this plush device has a pocket in its belly to hold a battery-operated beating heart. Seriously, “ka-thump, ka-thump, ka-thump.” Ben has loved it since the minute he first heard it, and it really helps him settle down to sleep. A big plus is that the ka-thump can be heard from across the room. I find it quite soothing myself.