This is a true story, and now that it’s been a few months, I can laugh about it.

Last summer I listed a collectible book from my library on eBay. It’s a book I enjoyed and really wanted to keep. But it’s only available in this one, extremely rare, limited-edition printing, and unlike most of my books, the value has risen significantly since I bought it. So I reluctantly decided it was time to part ways.

I took it out of the glass-fronted bookcase, photographed it, and left it on the coffee table to await its new home. Every time I saw it, I felt a pang: I’d never be able to afford or possibly even find another copy. But did I really need to own this particular book when the sale would fund a chunk of rent or a weekend out of town?

Well, a lot of people looked but no one bid. So when the auction ended, I was both disappointed and relieved. I picked up the book to return it to the glass-fronted bookcase, and…at some point during the week, either Rufus or a cat had nibbled on it.

Now, if you’ve seen my apartment, you know there are books ALL OVER: on the coffee table, the end tables, the chair, the sofa, sometimes even the floor. The animals never eat them. But for some reason, this one appealed to someone who decided to snack on the bottom inch of spine.

Given the rarity of the book, it’s probably still sale-able, but at a fraction of what it was worth. So now it has a permanent home with me. Which is kind of what I wanted all along. And maybe someday the damage will add to the value: “This is Monique Bos’ copy, and we can prove it because that’s the pet damage she blogged about back in ’17.” 

Don’t look at me! I prefer squeaky toy frogs. Also, you might remember that on the trip when you took this photo, the friend we were visiting said, “If all dogs were like Rufus, I’d have a dog.” I’m GOOD. 

Um, yes, I’m totally neurotic, but I like to SIT on paper, not eat it. You know Rufus’ toenails are my favorite thing to chew.

If I’d eaten part of a book, you would have found a pile of cat vomit filled with shredded paper the next morning. You KNOW that.