Yesterday someone tried to eat me alive. The Lady and the Girl and I were out for a walk to the park. Have I mentioned how much I like the park? So much green space, so many good smells--and water fountains! I love water fountains. Anyway, when we were walking past a particular house not far from ours, there was a lot of growling and crashing behind a tall wooden fence. Then all of sudden something flew over the top of the fence and came at me snarling and barking and biting my back legs.

The Lady kept trying to put herself between me and it, but it kept running at me from new angles, and I admit I don't move that fast and I'm a biggish target. The Lady was yelling like I've maybe never heard her yell, out in public anyway, and she shoved me back against a car and stood in front of me with her foot up and aimed right at the thing's head. I would not want to be on the receiving end of that kick, let me tell you. She was angry and scared, not a nice combination. That's when the owners of the thing came running out and grabbed it, all apologies and soft voices. As we walked away the thing got away from them and came after me again for a few more bites to my back legs--I admit I got a little snappy back, but who wouldn't? Then, after that, I didn't want to go to the park any more. So we went home, and I went to bed. Today the Lady says she will take me someplace nice. . . And also buy something called pepper spray to nail that monster should it decide to come after me again. . . I just hope she doesn't miss.

What is up with the human need for fences?

It's the darndest thing. They get a perfectly nice house, with comfortable couches, good food on the counters, water in every bathroom at the perfect drinking height, and then not only do they put doors on the house that my kind cannot open, but they go on to enclose the house and outside happy space with a fence. If I were of the nervous ilk, this might be enough to make me snappy. Nearly every time I go outside there is something much more interesting going on on the other side of the fence.

Today the boy next door was hitting balls with a big stick. I love balls! And sticks! Me grabbing his stick and playing tugawar with him might have been the highlight of his day. And normally I would say I like that boy too, but his lack of interest in my needs today was disheartening. I believe I'll start drawing up a plan for a swinging-door house and a fenceless yard. A dog should be free to roam at will. If he's treated right he'll come back . . . eventually.