Like almost all of the animals who live her, Fate loves to pose for pictures. The animals, with their superior instincts, seem to sense it is something I need for them to do and perhaps they sense my approval when they do it. I always have a camera on me, I am always looking for a photo, my photo muse is always hungry.

In the woods, there is an old wall with an opening, and I point to it sometimes and say “up,” and Fate, who is the smartest dog I have ever had, hops right up and turns to look right into the camera. She knows, I think, she knows. She looks great up there, the queen of the woods. And then, when I turn away she tears off into the woods after a chipmunk, or a smell, or a stick to grab.