GWYNNETH, THE WONDER DOG

Gwynneth has made our home exciting ever since she first arrived as a little bundle of white fur. Her first adventure was to dig a hole under the deck steps. Her mommy took a picture of her peeking out to see how everyone was accepting her project. And she’s been digging great holes ever since.

She was so tiny at first that she had a hard time getting in and out of her crate. One morning as she tried to exit, she threw her hind legs up over her head and walked halfway across the kitchen floor on her front legs. For a person who really needed a good laugh at the time, she offered the perfect cure.

From a fluffy white teddy bear to a mature bundle of energy, she has been the light of our life, protecting us from such ferocious monsters as bumblebees and lizards, wiping out every one she can catch. And she never allows enemy creatures to invade our property—or the next-door neighbor’s property—or other neighbors’ property. No dogs, squirrels, cats, or most other four-legged creatures are allowed anywhere in sight. However, birds are quite welcome, unless they are bigger than a robin. How lucky can we be to have such a wonderful guardian.

Her sweet nature comes out when she has a stuffed toy around. She holds them very gently in her mouth, and shows me each morning how attentive she can be by carrying the toy to the door and gently depositing it on the step before she goes outside. For days and maybe even weeks she will show this undivided attention to the plush animal. But suddenly—watch out!—she begins to rip it apart. Pretty soon there are puffs of cotton on the floor and all that is left of her beloved is the skin. Then the skin gets a lot of careful attention until the next stuffed animal arrives.

She taught herself to play soccer and is such a ferocious

participant that she murdered one ball. She doesn’t enjoy it as much right now because the ball has lost a lot of its air and therefore a lot of its rollability. However, she still likes to bark at that same ball, maybe hoping it will regain its old elasticity.

What a love she is, even though she doesn’t come when she’s called—unless she feels like it.