Dearest Carmela, I always love to read your notes to the group...you keep them stirred up. I THINK I actually know the answer. Not being a scholar, of course I cannot remember the source( It might be DANGEROUS WATERS by Ron Powers), but I remember reading that young samuel was often punished for his many transgressions and misadventures by being locked up with the hunting hounds overnight. I feel the reference was for the summers he spent at the Quarells Farm( his uncle, i believe). The dogs barked all night and he hated it( little wonder). It is just a theory of mine . There are pictures of at least one family dog but many more with cats and with Samuel holding and petting the cats. I do not share this affection with Samuel, I am not fond of cats and in fact I am a dog...or have beeen in past reincarnations. I absolutely love dogs and usually have really good empathy with them. How is your new "working" dog? You see my memory is so poor I cannot at the moment remember the wonderful name you came up with. Take care- with great fondness...David