charlemagne

It's been so cold outside that I've had to bring Scrappy into the house. He was never properly house broken, so this has been an exciting time. However, because he's a lab, it's been easier than I thought it would be to civilize him. He's going on 15, and I worried that it would be hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Never was an old cliche more false. He's had some accidents, broken one lamp, and still eyes the cats warily, but he's come around as well as and as fast anyone could hope for. It's amazing what a little patience and love can accomplish!

Scrappy is the only dog I've had who really smiles. He wrinkles up his face and dimples appear at the corners of his mouth. He just about knocks me over when he nuzzles me. When I'm in the house, he has to be right beside me every minute. True gratitude is hard to find, but Scrappy shows it in every action. It makes me ashamed to think how long I've kept him outside because he hadn't been trained. Why he never got trained is a long tale, but that can wait for another day. Suffice it to say, not much beats being loved by a dog.