We have a new addition to our family. No, not a baby. Her name is B.J., and she's a 2 1/2 year-old Bassett Hound. She's not exactly new to us. She had belonged to my daughter, who had to give her away, and we were the happy recipients!

B.J. is about as laid back as a dog can get. Last night, her first evening at our house, she wasn't interested in our two tortoishell calico cats, Tosca and Mocha, who decided to stalk her. Both would sit on the nearest piece of furniture, out of reach, and stare at her, keeping her from moving past them. It made for some almost tense moments when B.J. wanted to move to another room. Tosca, the oldest, didn't seem to mind when she would finally get up the nerve to pass by. They even checked each other out, with no repurcussions. I expect they'll be friends in a week or so. Mocha, on the other hand, didn't take to B.J. quite as well. Stalking was okay, but when we tried to get Mocho to investigate the invader a little more closely, her tail grew and she hissed. I don't expect them to become friends very quickly.

I was awakened this morning by a fast wagging tail in my face. My daughter (B.J.'s former mistress) had arrived to drop off two of her three children. B.J. was obviously excited to see them, but the only indication of that was that tail in my face. She was off the bed in seconds, as soon as she heard their voices when they came through the door, but the sad eyes of a Bassett never changed, just that wagging tail and a friend "woof" to greet them.

So "woof" to all of you this sunny Monday morning! Let's all hope this week brings all the sunshine and good will of a perfect autumn day.