Sorry Bob. My spouse just pointed out that not only do I not know what betes noires are, I don't even know how to write the singluar. She says she has a few, among them my being retired, but I don't think I'm up to having any; not any time soon. As a child, I remember being caught and eaten by one in a dream. It was very realistic and I can still feel his/her teeth crunching my bones as I write. That is probably the reason I haven't tamed any and kept them around the house. I don't know where my wife keeps hers. - Philip Hudson