We're becoming those people.

So we bought Rocky a new toy today. Abbie chose it, and it made her--both of us--really happy that he loves it so much.

But he also really loves to play with rosebush branches with huge thorns. So why are we buying him toys? Gotta love capitalism.

You look into his eyes and you want to pet him and love him and hug him. And that's not enough somehow, maybe because he's still got a wild carnivorous beast somewhere down there in his DNA, and you suspect that he wants more than just food and sticks and constant belly-rubbing (all evidence to the contrary). So, as you droop in the weakness of your love, the merchant strides forward with the hilarious bauble and overmasters you.

But he really likes it though.

Also: if you can't grow one of these, why grow one?