I think the thing that amazes me about what you, Ben, and Jamie do with your allusions and your symbolism is that it is very deliberate and well thought out. When I write, I tend to do without necessarily considering the broader issues. I go from what seems like it'll make a good story and would make sense for the characters to do. Larger literary and symbolic things tend to only get added by complete and utter accident.

I like my talking dogs too. But what you guys do still amazes me. :)