THE STORY OF BEAR'S DEN (cont.)

My friend made her decision and her girl puppy was whisked away for a bath and a haircut. I kept playing with the shy little boy. My friend kept saying "that is your dog, he has made the decision. You HAVE to take him home with you." I told her that I adored him, but had no money, so somebody else would have to give him a home. "Well" my friend said, "No problem. I will pay for him and you can pay me back." Wonderful! He was coming home with me. When I happily walked into the area where the kennel's proprietor was washing and grooming the girl puppy to tell him that the boy would be coming home with me, he said, "No, you don't want this one, you can't be serious." Serious as a heart attack.

My friend and I, adult women with more than our share of cowardice in our hearts, drove home with our new children, terrified about what we were going to tell Ken, who initially hadn't been all that pleased about Retro's arrival. I had 7 house cats and fed nearly every stray in the neighborhood. He was eager to see my friend's new dog, but another one in his house???

The witching hour had arrived…Ken greeted us outside and asked that we bring the new addition into the house. Well we brought in the crate and then brought out 2 puppies. "This one is Nancy's and this one is ours". We waited for the possible explosion, but none occurred. Instead, Ken grinned and said, "You bought a Bouvier? This is our Bouvier?" "Yes, Ken, this is our Bouvier." By the next morning the "shy" guy had become the miniature Bouvier who stood at the end of his leash in our front yard fiercely warding off pedestrians/intruders who walked by. "Shy" disappeared the minute he realized he was going to stay.