The masked heeler just came down to the office, nudging the door open with her nose.

A trick taught to her by her sister, who learned it early in life.

She came in and leapt up on my lap, letting me know I needed to take a break from work (more comments on the damn 3,880 coalbed methane wells that will soon be drilled to keep the electrons flying for the west coast).

After a couple licks to the face, she nuzzled my neck, as is her wont to do. She dips her head down and presses her muzzle and forehead into the crook of your neck, and just snuggles in.

A 35-pound lap snuggler.

After a few minutes of comfort and petting, she was satisfied and left, with one thank you look before she headed up the stairs.

I'm not sure if she is thanking me for the snuggling...

or for my taking the several dozen long, white guard hairs that left her body for mine.

Maybe she was just telling me it is time for our daily walk to the post office.

She's early.

Now it is time to go back to predicting and listing the damage and losses that are going to occur to 310,000 acres of this country in the next few years.

That's 484 square miles, folks.

Have a nice day.