I took a breath. She looked at me, waiting for me to finish. I said, “Some scientists say evolution is a struggle between female and male in the same species. Males want to make as many babies as they can, anywhere, any time. Females want to make sure the babies they raise are as strong and smart as possible. From the best males.”

“Do you believe that?”

I laughed. “It sounds like something a guy who thinks he’s something special would come up with, doesn’t it? A justification.”

“They’re as God made them.” She raised her brows at me, wrinkling her forehead under her scarf. Looking for an argument. And anybody sensible knows better than to argue with grandmothers. “The dogs are as God made them, too. To be our helpers.”

I will be thinking this one over for a while. A woman does what she needs to do. Worth a read.

(Edited to add: I am going to reread this after I read some Baba Yaga myths. I happened on a summary of some of the more common ones the day after I read this and there is a whole layer of stuff here I was oblivious to when I read the story. This may well deserve another star.) ( )

There need to be more stories about a woman and her dog (we're not all cat ladies). ( )

Elizabeth Bear's near future story that shows just how smart dog's can be.

An enjoyable tale. ( )