[ She has absolutely no problem giving the dogs all the attention they desire. Her stately poise that she automatically carries around strangers -- which, these days, is basically everyone -- evaporates into a far more natural openness with them, and she alternates between them as she scruffs around their necks. ]

Take your turns, [ she chides them affectionately. ] You are as bad as my wolves. Ah-- I suppose tea, I have never had the others.

They will be there when I return, I am told. It is my own foolishness to miss them. I will take the opportunities here while I have them.

[ It is the only way she has found to live sanguinely with her fate. ]