"When you're done," Bubba said, "come on in and we'll talk." He climbed the steps to the porch and walked between the dogs to go back into the house. I heard some clanking of pots and decided I'd give him a little more time to clean up. There was an interesting looking flower just a little way under the trees, but when I went to photograph it I felt a hot breath on my hand and the bitch dog stood between me and the trees.

OK," I said to the dog, and scratched her behind the ears, ...