...however, jumpy, biting, rebellious dog. But was beautiful and cute, and we loved him. Mom once commented, "It's a good thing he's so adorable ..." She'd always trail off, whether to add emphasis or to search for words, I don't know.

Badger was a male version of Miss Congeniality and probably the most well-loved mutt among the people at the puppy training class, too, for Badger was Prince Charming in fur. He was always happy around new people, always wagging his tail, always squirming for attention.

That personality was his downfall. Sure, he was cute. My younger sister Sierra was always shrieking, "Isn't he adorable?!!"

The youngest, Clarabelle, would always chime in, "I know; he's the cutest."

I, however, demanded discipline and respect. They demanded cuteness. He was good at that. Good, I mean, at looking cute with pillows in mouth, Kleenexes shredded all around him, and towels slobbered upon.

At first, we thought it was just puppy energy. But as he grew into a big, strong, naughty golden retriever, we quickly changed our thinking. Wherever Badger roamed, trouble was to follow. Anyone who had to live with Badger knew that ...

I CLAMPED THE hand brake back, and wiped a hand across my brow. It was late March, but the snow was all melted away; the temperature in the high eighties, and the river unfrozen. As I rested on my bike, I gazed at the crystal-blue water through the thick sumacs. Thin layers of ice still covered some of the Wolf River, but most of it was thawed. Ducks, geese, and sea gulls rested on the remaining ice, making a loud racket that was a mixture of honks, croaks, and shrieks sounding like women screaming.

'Amazing," I breathed. I had lived in Wisconsin for several years, but I was always dazzled by the river in springtime. I got a good view, too. My house was situated about fifty feet from Stumpy Bay's bank, and the bank was surrounded by sumac trees...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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Bullfighter.(Short story), March 01, 2008
There Was a Blizzard.(Poem), March 01, 2008
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