Friends are important. Friends make the world go round.

Bao has his own friends. He tends to pick and choose, and sometimes when we visit people who have a dog, he embarrasses me. He won't sniff just anybody's rear end. There's no pretense where dogs are concerned. Bao takes to some dogs and not others, and that's just the way it is.

And he's even choosier when it comes to humans. He adored Charlotte and Bill from the get go, and can spot them across a crowded room in a heartbeat. (Of course, it helps that Aunty Char almost always brings him a bag of treats, as you can see in the photo) Bao also has his favorites among my students. I teach an Adult Learning class in Chinese history -- we're working our way through the Chinese dynasties -- and many of the same people attend each semester. One particular lady is Bao's friend. He lies watching the door until she arrives, and then he goes and curls up under her chair. Sometimes she brings treats, but sometimes she doesn't and Bao doesn't seem to mind. A friend is a friend.

When people ask why I don't have a boyfriend, I tell them it's because Bao won't allow anyone else on the bed. But friends are fine -- as long as they stay off the bed!