Schemer by day, thief at night. One reason I would be so uneasy about leaving Bowdu with anybody but the most experienced of dog handlers is that he has a terribly bratty habit of stealing stupid, insignificant things. Sure, there's something to be said for dog-proofing your house, but a hair tie, a Sharpie, an empty Fruit Roll-Up wrapper or even a chunk of scrap wood discarded from a closet renovation project are all fair game in his mind. He'll slink off into the bedroom or the yard with his pilfered possession, just waiting to be discovered. When we eventually notice that the dog has been too quiet for too long and go to check on him, he'll be crouched low over his new thing, just daring us to retrieve it from between his paws or under his muzzle with flattened ears and a barely audible growl.

He's actually much better about relinquishing items now, but I've still gotta move reeeeal slooow, giving him space to think about what is more precious to him -- his stupid new thing, or my good will. As soon as the item is removed from his touch, you can almost hear a *pop* as the Selfish Devil Bowdu is exorcized from the room, and the Loving Angel Bowdu flutters back to inhabit his proper self.

Anyway, I wanted to post these pictures since I was going through the camera and clearing off the memory to make room for more pictures in preparation for the departmental 新年会 for grad students next Friday. We're hosting it at the house. I have never organized my own party before, at least not without the initiative and help of more social and host(ess)y housemates. I am afraid we're all going to end up sitting on the living room floor with little to do but eat and kvetch about how none of us are ready to start classes again (repeat ad nauseum), especially if only a handful of people bother to trek allll thiiis waaay off campus... but at least we'll have lots of sweet, sweet music on vinyl, CD, and mp3.