Her big, rose-colored eyes watered, her lower lip protruded in a pout, and her ears lay flat. I felt like I'd kicked a puppy. A big, white, treacherous puppy. I reached out and put a hand on her cheek, patting it condescendingly. "Nice try, Princess, but I have younger family members. I know crocodile tears when I see 'em." Even as I said it, I felt a twinge of real hurt. Just when I'd thought I was getting better, getting over the homesick feeling, I'd say something and I'd remember a new aspect of my life that I missed. I forced my grin a little bit wider, gritting my teeth.