The story begins this way. I'm more or less fast asleep last Thursday morning. It was around 4:30 a.m. when I become vaguely aware of an odd scratching sound somewhere in the house.

It's not a familiar pattern like claws on a scratch board, but in my sleepy haze I do my best to ignore it until my better judgment wakes up enough to the realization that this could be trouble. I clamber up and waddle to the kitchen, the best of my balance still asleep.

MATT IRONSIDE/THE SEATTLE TIMES

Harley and the hole he created when he discovered that rice is fun to play with.

Just before I reach the light I feel a strange sensation under my feet. I flip the switch and realize that I'd forgotten to return the 15 pound bag of rice I'd opened to prepare dinner the night before to its secure location in the pantry.

Harley, my 1-year-old mischief maker had discovered that rice scatters delightfully across the floor in many directions with a simple flick of the paw. He'd torn a gaping hole in the bag. The kitchen floor is pretty much covered. So it goes when you have a pet that is lovable and playfully destructive at the same time.

Do you have a pet that's a mischief maker? A hound who harbors hijinks? A cat coached in chicanery? An adorable agent of aggravation? If you do, I bet you've got some stories to tell. Well, we'd like to hear them.

If you've got a tale that you can laugh about now, send it our way. You can add it to the comment thread of this story, or if you prefer (and you have a picture to go with) you can email it to me directly. I'll try to feature some of the best in a future blog post.

Matt Ironside: 206-464-2398 or mironside@seattletimes.com. Follow me on Twitter at @mjironside