Today in Laurelhurst Park someone stopped to pet Albie and said "beautiful dog" and I said "thanks!" and immediately wanted to kill myself for saying such a dorky thing. Thanks? Clearly it's appropriate and customary to take credit for the attractiveness of your dog, sure. Albie's physical appearance is after all one of my greatest personal accomplishments, I might even add it to my curriculum vitae. And the fact that right after I said this he emitted a little squeaky balloon fart is just icing, don't you think? He probably knew I was stealing his thunder and wanted to send me a little pooty message. Just before he cut one he looked at me and I swear I saw his eyes narrow contemptuously. He may have been in the right but still I think that's a little petty.