July 6th

Demon was so silly this morning, throwing his biscuit then pouncing on it, then pawing it, then jumping stiff legged around it before finally settling down to eat it. I'm so happy he is feeling so well and playful now. He has always been a bit of a goofball, but now even more so. He is still a bit shy of Jim and James, but getting less and less skittish as the days go by.

When he was done eating, he came in for a hug before running off to play with Freya who was frolicking around the porch with the Kong toy. All the dogs were brimming over with energy and playfulness, even the old farts G'kar and Valkrys. Fifty-eight degrees out made them all very happy, and me wishing once again I didn't have to run off to work.

I keep thinking about how the real folks on some of these shows like Deadliest Catch become heroes. What makes one person a hero over another? I'm pretty sure in this case it is the willingness to risk life and limb for the chance at fortune, but that alone does not make them admirable. The fact that these captains care about their crews and their fellows is what makes them real to the viewers and make their trials and tribulations wrench our hearts and bring cheers as they are successful. There are very great lessons in this to bring to the writing table. Not just in who these people are, but in how the public perceives them and how they became who they are.

Of course all this brings around my old girl Valkrys, our very own heroine. What she did when she saved my son's life was extraordinary. But I have to go back and think, was it something any other dog would have done? I have to answer this as no, because our lab mix didn't even seem interested in what was going on. What makes one dog a hero above another, or human for that matter? Was it in Valkrys' blood to be heroic or was it that she was raised with James? Again, knowing our other dog Thor was raised with James as well, I'd have to rule it as not as important. If it is in the blood (or genetics to be more scientific), then could she have acted any other way, or was she destined to act that way? The same question is relevant to humanity. How much does environment over genetics influence the path a person chooses? Deep questions to ponder as I continue to work on 'Valkardain (Sorrow's Bane)'.