Eden likes to pretend to be a puppy. She will bark and scamper about, until I name her, discover her breed, etc. She is very accomodating. Obviously I don’t speak dog, and she can’t speak English, but by some miracle she is able to translate for me.

This morning she was yipping and scratching at the side of my bed. I pulled her up, petted her, found out she is a Purple Lab (we aren’t constrained by any kennel club’s breed recognitions) and named her Amethyst. Sometimes I get to name her, but often as not she knows her name and I have to guess it. She barks low and softly if I’ve guessed incorrectly and high and loudly if I get it.

This morning I tried, “Beauty, Cutie and Sweetie Pie” before she guided me. “Arf! Try jewel names.”

“Amethyst?” She began a soft, low bark when I explained, “It’s a purple jewel.”

She stopped short and immediately began to yip happily.

Later I found her sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at my screen saver, which is the standard Apple one, a mesmerizing fading and shifting of lovely images from nature.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Arf! Arf!” She said and immediately translated, “I believe in beautiful things.”

I do too.