If you give a dog a shoe

Goober, we have found, is a shoe connoisseur. We gave him one old shoe, but now he's discovered that new shoes are much better--and that Rockports are better than Wal-Mart's Fanfares, regardless of age. Because I have two bad habits--kicking off my shoes at the computer and leaving the closet door open when I get dressed in the morning--he has been allowed to play Colombus and make such discoveries,much as I am allowed to make discoveries about Starbuck's scones and pound cake. Unfortunately, though, I am the one who pays for both explorations.

Last night I came in with three new pairs of shoes. I tried them on in his presence a little while ago. He licked the sole of one pair as I straightened it on my foot. Taste-testing.