Page 56. “Play is an important part of the maturation process. A toy box on the floor for storage keeps them from cluttering the house.” We have this toy box. We also have trails of twigs, leaves, stones, sticks, bark which she covets and sneaks into the house at every opportunity. “Play hide and seek it” the manual says. There is no hiding on my part. I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself. “No, Gracie, don’t take the toilet paper rolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.”

She has 15 chew toys but anything in my hand is what she wants. I am rinsing out the yogurt cup. I toss it to the puppy. Next I am in the bathroom brushing my teeth. She is staring at me waiting for me to throw her something. I throw down the dental floss. Her favorite toy was a toothbrush but now it is a stick with no brush. Now I am in the laundry room putting clothes in the dryer. A Bounce dryer sheet hits the floor and she is off—distracted for at least 10 minutes. Now I am writing these words and she nips at my slippers. Her face says, What else have you got? My eyes dart around the office and my desk. I fling her a coaster and type, “Gracie is now 4 months old and weighs 7 pounds. She has eaten three and half pounds of Cheerios.” I think I will take myself to the movies now.