Easter Dinner at the home of artist Russell Rechhion and his wife Laura. They served ham, with a Martha Stewart glaze that was simply divine. Bao had just one question: Where has ham been all my life?

He's had bacon. He's had pork. He's even had pork sausages. But this was the first time he ever tasted ham.

I suppose it's because it would never occur to me to cook a ham, just for the two of us. Hams are big. If I impulsively decided to bake one, I'd be eating it for the foreseeable future. Which would be just fine, as far as Bao is concerned.

I haven't seen him enjoy anything this much since he discovered hollandaise sauce on the Eggs Benedict we had for brunch in Wisconsin, two years ago!

I usually boast (modestly) that Bao isn't one of those dogs who'd eat himself to death. Bao, I say proudly, always knows when he's had enough.

But this time, I wasn't so sure. I think he ate more than I did. More ham, anyhow. He ate until he looked as if he'd swallowed a cantaloupe. Finally, he curled up and fell asleep at my feet. But only until Laura brought out the apple pie. And then suddenly, there he was again -- up on the chair and ready for action.