People laugh at Aki—out loud. It has already happened on this walk up the old Perseverance mining road. I understand that the little sweater she wears on frosty days like this might bring on some chuckles. Then, there’s the way she dashes toward bigger dogs, tail keeping time for her barking. I laugh every time she lets loose with an Ewock growl that she might have learned from watching Return of the Jedi. I was too far away to hear if the large porcupine laughed when Aki dashed up to her, tail wagging, and appeared to plant a kiss on her snout.