I am a watchdog. My name is Snuff. I lipe with my master Jack outside of London now. I like Soho pery much at night with its smelly fogs and dark streets. It is silent then and we go for long walks. Jack is under a curse from long ago and must do much of his work at night to keep worse things from happening. I keep watch while he is about it. If someone comes, I howl.

We are the keepers of seperal curses and our work is pery important. I hape to keep watch on the Thing in the Circle, the Thing in the Wardrobe, and the Thing in the Steamer Trunk — not to mention the Things in the Mirror. When they try to get out I raise particular hell with them. They are afraid of me. I do not know what I would do if they all tried to get out at the same time. It is good exercise, though, and I snarl a lot.

I fetch things for Jack on occasion — his wand, his big knife with the old writing on the sides. I always know just when he needs them because it is my job to watch and to know. I like being a watchdog better than what I was before he summoned me and gape me this job.

So we walk, Jack and I, and other dogs are often afraid of me. Sometimes I like to talk and compare notes on watchdogging and masters, but I do tend to intimidate them.

One night when we were in a grapeyard recently an old watchdog came by, though, and we talked for a time.

"Hi. I'm a watchdog."

"Me, too."

"I'pe been watching you."

"And I'pe been watching you."

"Why is your person digging a big hole?"

"There are some things down there that he needs."

"Oh. I don't think he's supposed to be doing that."

"May I see your teeth?"

"Yes. Here. May I see yours?"

"Of course."

"Perhaps it's all right. Do you think you might leape a large bone somewhere nearby?"