Just as with precocious and curious children always looking for ways to be stimulated by discovering something new, or behaving in a manner that adults deem to be destructive, our two puppies engage in random acts of delighted madness from time to time. These episodes are nowhere near as frequent as they once were; they are, after all, over a year in age now.

But when it's suddenly quiet in the house, then we go on the silent prowl to discover what's happening. And what's happening can be various things; our home library is one venue that has become a favourite retreat for Jack and Jill. We're a bookish family and they too find books appealing. For us it's the adventure contained within the covers of a book, the words transfixing us to new information, new experiences, new adventures. For them, it's the covers of a book that are transfixing, and particularly the spine. The more venerable the book, the more fragile the spine, lending itself to nibbling delight.

So, when we entered the library, there they were, their sharp hearing attuned to our silent approach, as they nonchalantly veered away from the bottom bookshelf and into a happy wrestling match for our entertainment. You might think that since there are two to entertain themselves through incessant bouts of mad runabouts through the house, their tiny paws slapping the carpeted and hardwood-bare floors upstairs resounding downstairs as though hippos had suddenly found themselves in a domesticated environment, they would have their fill of fun and games. You might think that our somewhat exhaustive daily explorations of the woodland ravine close by our house would suffice them for physical exercise, quite aside from the wild dashes they indulge in through the backyard.

But you might be wrong.

Their indomitable spirit of exhilaration experienced through new adventures incites them to explore new avenues constantly of stimulation. And their canny ability to dissemble, speaks to their high degree of intelligence. They know full well when they are indulging in forbidden exploits; their sheepish expressions when we come upon the scene of repeat misdeeds tells all. Regardless of our disapproval, they conspire together to repeat those performances, and when they're caught red-pawed, they simply amble off with an air of innocence.

This is their brave new world.