We offer brief reflection on Flower.

I knew Flower.  Flower was a friend of mine. He was a good dog, a quiet dog. I remember sitting, with Carmen, on his owner's bed interviewing her, and Flower sitting on the bed with us (it was a crowded bed) making not a peep. He was so quiet that I thought his vocal chords had been cut, a not-uncommon occurrence in Beijing as the gendarme go about residential by-ways banging pots to incite canine barks and, thus locating the offenders, haul them off to their deaths.

With the news received of Flower's death it would be inappropriate for us to continue with our reflections on Happiness at this time. We therefore dedicate, in remembrance, and in commiseration with our friend in this time of loss, the remainder of this day in respectful silence .