The wife was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring into space. Trying to psyche herself up enough to go back to work this afternoon. I was sitting beside her when the heeler Mom came ambling into the room. When the wife saw the bright red blood on the heeler's left ear.

As soon as she expressed concern, the heeler turned and fled the room.

I had to order her back so that we could inspect the damage.

Had she just scratched herself bad enough to bleed? Her allergies have been flaring up lately.

Had one of her daughters torn into her ear in one of their frantic charges out the door? They've done that before.

Nope. None of the above.

Wife checked, and then rechecked.

The dried blood was dried ravioli. From licking the pot clean from one of the boys' midnight snack last night.

Gave us a good scare. And a good laugh.

The heeler Mom was not amused.