In January of 2001, we began life without a dog. Just as we had every year since 1988.

But by the end of the year, I was looking at Bea and asking the question "who are you and what have you done with my wife?"

First came Heisman...

Heisman was part pitbull, boxer, and beagle. He came to us with Susan, a girl from church who needed a place to stay for a while. Susan moved out, Heisman didn't. Heisman endeared himself to John by keeping Jamie out of the house and biting a cop. Good guard dog!

Then came Baby...

Bea brought Baby back from Texas to breed her while Marty was in the hospital. As you can see, the breeding was a success! Baby had two puppies, one was dead at birth, the other died 4 weeks later.

Now the plot thickens. Heisman got along with Baby, but felt he had to go remark everything in the house. This was a bad idea. Marking Bea's purse was a REALLY BAD idea. Heisman's days were numbered.

Then came "winter" in Michigan. Baby wasn't too keen on going outside long enough to take care of business when the temps dipped below 50. Baby's days were now numbered.

Fortunately, Bea's father was looking for a house dog and a guard dog. So Heisman and Baby were relocated to Texas. But a funny thing happened while we were down there...