Since I am on a doggy roll just now, I want to introduce you to the Archaeologist’s dog, Spud. He and Dog get along just fine and Spud is generally friendly and engaging. The Curious Archaeologist’s post below is as ever informative and interesting. However it fails on one count.

He does not explain Spud’s glaring weakness and that is he clearly loathes my writing.

We, the Textiliste and I were staying chez Archaeologist and while dinner was being prepared, I sat on the floor editing my first book, reading a printed version and making notes in the margin of changes I needed to make.

The dogs, as dogs are wont to do, began a game of chase that involved jumping my legs as a hurdle. Each time they approached I lifted the papers in my hand and let them pass. Did I notice Spud glancing at the pages beginning to pile up on the floor? I cannot say. All I can say is on the third pass Dog bounded across the barrier and Spud followed before stopping, turning back, marking page 110 in time honoured fashion and recommencing his chase.

I was told, early on, that one should never get upset at criticism; rarely is it given with ill intent. Pay attention and review the criticism before deciding whether it has merit.

Page 110 was probably not my finest prose; it had a few typos and the storyline was weak thereabouts. It demanded some sort of change.
However, he is the only critic who has quite literally pissed on my work.

Personally, I’m a great believer that dog and owner adopt each other’s characteristics. I suspect sibling foul play…