Kiki the rez dog.

Another one for you Clare.

Kathy wanted another dog after Zoë died two years ago. She searched online and found Kiki through a local animal rescue organization and arranged to pick Kiki up that day. A Sunday. It was the middle of the afternoon.

Kathy: I've chosen to adopt this dog; isn't she cute? Come on we're going to pick her up now.

Me, knowing the rescue people were based in St Johns about thirty miles away: OK. We're going to St Johns right?

Kathy, innocently: The dog's with a foster person in Chinle.

Me, spluttering: Do you know how far that is? It's in the middle of the Navajo Reservation. It's a good three hour drive; and it'll be dark by the time we get there

The lady fostering her was a pædiatrician at the IHS hospital in Chinle and we spent quite a while socializing before heading back home. So . . . we returned home about midnight with Kiki.