On the path in the woods, the border collies rush ahead, then wait in the sun for us. We had a drama with Fate yesterday. For the very first time in my life with dogs, a dog crept into the kitchen, reached up on the counter, and ate a chunk of lean, pasture-fed beef destined to be our dinner.

Of course, it was Fate. She’s been with us for nearly a year, and has never pulled any food off of any counter, I guess the meat was too exposed and too tempting. Tonight, I’m plotting my response, life with dogs is chess sometimes, they make a move, I make a move.

I’m going to get more beef today, I’ll put some sauce on it to make it smell good and put it out. I’ll lurk near the kitchen, I imagine she will return for another raid, and I will toss the throw chain against the metal counter, almost surely startling the wits out of here. Then I will correct her, loudly and forcefully.

We’ll see what happens.