Dear Sparky,

I'm a feline and I have a bone to pick with you canines. I know we've never seen eye to eye, but there have been moments in history where we have shown tolerance. A case in point --- Today, after breakfast, my housekeeper had fluffed my pillow, and I was snuggling into dreamland when a squeaky clatter intruded upon my slumber. I lifted an eyelid to make certain it was not a mouse. But no, it was the miniature pinscher who inhabits our flat. As usual, he barked incessantly. I tried to stare him down, but to no avail. The boy child offered him biscuits, and this calmed him; but he broke into such a racket once he'd finished. To my relief the girl child carried him off to the den.

Sparky, I am not a complainer, but my rest is sacred. To me, this canine is nothing more than a rat who barks. He should beware.

Ruffled in Rangoon 
 
 
 

Dear Ruffled,

We canines do thrill at the simple things in life, and this could be a case of youthful exuberance. Contrary to public opinion, canines bark for very good reasons --- most of the time. Did you ask the young sport why he was barking? There must have been something wrong for him to keep up the racket after the biscuit. You'll never know unless you inquire. Hopefully, he'll mellow with age.

Give him a chance.

Sparky 

Write to Sparky! His email is sparkytmutt@yahoo.com, and his web page is www.geocities.com/sparkytmutt.

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