about the dog

Today I wanted to write about the Dog because I think he is important and there is not much talk about him. Here are some interesting facts that you might want to know but do not even know you want to know because it never even occurred to you that it might be so.

First of all, in the early drafts of VIOLET BING AND THE GRAND HOUSE, the Dog was more like a person. He still had paws and everything but he would stand on two legs a lot. And he also would do things - like clean and build and fix things. He was handy, really. He also rode on the back of my bicycle with me. You may not believe this and so I am including a picture of myself and the Dog - as proof. IT REALLY DID HAPPEN.

Another thing you might want to know is that the Dog once carried a long wooden stick with a sack at the end. I don't really know why the author did this. I think the Dog was supposed to be traveling and that's what he carried his stuff in. But I think it was a bad idea and am glad she got rid of it. You can see it in the picture of us on the bicycle if you look carefully.

Note: the author still likes the long stick with that thing on the end and uses the word, "inspired" to describe it.

Yours With Beads (this means Yours In Friendship, really, but it would be good if you could read my book and then you would understand it better),
V. Bing