Every morning I take Buffy to a beautiful off-leash area on San Francisco Bay. It has acres and acres of hiking trails and a fair density of small mammals like ground squirrels, field mice and jackrabbits. Not every dog chases critters but Buffy is among those who do. She’s never caught one, or even come close, but this in no way dampens her riotous enthusiasm. (If she ever starts getting close, incidentally, I’ll cut off her access.)