For Linda Watson
por qué es de día, por qué vendrá la noche …
why is there day, why must night come …
AGATHA, an old Labradoodle
ATHENA, a brown teacup Poodle
ATTICUS, an imposing Neapolitan Mastiff, with cascading jowls
BELLA, a Great Dane, Athena’s closest pack mate
BENJY, a resourceful and conniving Beagle
BOBBIE, an unfortunate Duck Toller
DOUGIE, a Schnauzer, friend to Benjy
FRICK, a Labrador Retriever
FRACK, a Labrador Retriever, Frick’s litter mate
LYDIA, a Whippet and Weimaraner cross, tormented and nervous
MAJNOUN, a black Poodle, briefly referred to as ‘Lord Jim’ or simply ‘Jim’
MAX, a mutt who detests poetry
PRINCE, a mutt who composes poetry, also called Russell or Elvis
RONALDINHO, a mutt who deplores the condescension of humans
ROSIE, a German Shepherd bitch, close to Atticus