Oh, Riona, for shame! I just read your latest blog and can’t help telling any readers out there that you are cheating them out of the truly fascinating details of your deep-south vacation! No one wants to hear about cell phone reception when there is a semi-tame imu guarding the homestead, stalking around in the dark emitting blood-curdling noises. That image has been keeping me awake at night (I have an irrational fear of birds). And how many of us have a 20-lb dog willing to bite a horse on the face? Give us the good stuff!

On another note, our imaginary readers will be glad to know that I have swabbed my dog’s cheek and await revelation. I went to Pet Smart to buy the Doggie DNA kit, but a clerk there advised me in confidence that there are better deals to be had on the internet. All set to get a better price than $60, I cruised the ‘net, only to get sucked in to buying a more expensive test. I know, I was only going to invest $60 in her DNA, but I got the $120 test for only $100. That’s saving money, right? For my hundred bucks, my mystery dog’s DNA will now be tested against 100 known breeds rather than 63. I consider it an investment in more accurate results. Besides, I checked out some of the photos and results from the $60 test, and I frankly don’t believe them; every dog they tested was part husky! If I don’t trust the results, it’s like throwing away $60.

So what do I expect? I think my dog is part setter of some kind and maybe part border collie. The test covers several different types of setter, so we’ll see. She’ll probably turn out to be German shepherd, Yorkshire terrier, and husky. More to follow.