Yeah Sieran, I read the story about the Pommy and the Hellhound. It's smart writing. And a smart strategy, using non-threatening characters such as pups to bring potentially threatening subjects into the light. It disarms readers. Keeps 'em from reflexively shutting their eyes and clapping their hands over their ears.

Oh, and though I haven't walked in your shoes, I can at least somewhat imagine how Carpenter's "Life's too short for apprehension" lyric would ring inside you. Good! I'm glad it does. Because it's true.