Before I announced Charlie’s arrival to friends and family on Facebook, he and I sat down to work on his public image …

I want to cultivate a positive public image on social media. This kind of thing can affect future employment opportunities.

LURA: Ok, Charlie, so far I’ve listed your birth date and that you are a native Oregonian. Is there anything you want listed under likes?

CHARLIE: Retrieving and anything food related.

LURA: That makes sense. How about hobbies?

CHARLIE: Gnawing. I really like to gnaw.

LURA: We’ve noticed. You also like to get your own way.

CHARLIE: Who doesn’t?

LURA: That’s fair. Stretch goals?

CHARLIE: Oh, I so want to catch up to the farm cat and give her a good sniffing over. It’s on my bucket list, but first I have to chew through that string you attach to me when we go outside.

LURA: Do you realize you scare the cat with your bouncing and pouncing? She wants to be your friend, but you harass her. That’s why your male human calls you Charlie Manson sometimes.

CHARLIE: Well that’s odd. Why did you get a cat if you don’t want her to be snuffled?