BTD ... "Bear the Dog" Southlake, Texas 1998 in Misc. in Tales of the Jointed Track

This dog was a great dog. This was an English Labrador Retriever. Stocky, block headed, bald patches on his elbows around the forelegs. A rich dark brown color. Loved people, other dogs, well ??

Preface and bear ( no pun intended) with me.

We moved to Texas, from Chicago, IL. The BNSF merger happened in 1996, and we the "Santa Fe", were moved to Texas. The wife and I bought a house in Southlake, TX. It was half way to Dallas, where she relocated with her company, and me in North Ft Worth, TX at the NOC.

My oldest made friends quickly, my youngest not so much. As the subdivision grew, more houses were constructed, and we watched it grow over time. When we moved in, there was occupied homes, either side, and then ours, which we bought. At the end or the street was South Hollow Blvd, there was the "Show Home", for the builder. We watched the whole block get built around us.

Enter "Bear" the dog February 1998

Two houses over, it was built and For Sale, by the builder. It was sold and the Wrights moved in two weeks later. They were middle aged..late thirties mid forties. They came off of 30 acres of land in St. Louis, MO. Two Dalmation's, belonging to the wife and ol Bear. The Husband was a hunter, and had Bear trained to properly track and hunt. Bear was a year and 2 months at the time.

My kids would help walk the dogs, and play with them. As time went on, my oldest would sleep over at friends houses, or they at ours. The youngest, well he had problems making friends, so it was always asked if Bear, could spend the night. Well, I had no problems with that, and Bear spent more time at our house, than at his. The Wrights decided to build a MEGA Pool. It took up 70 percent of the back yard. Olympic sized.."really" .. but hey, I'm not building or paying for it.

Mrs. Wright came over one day and said, "We are pressed for space, with the pool, and 3 dogs, and are thinking of getting rid of Bear. Would you be interested, in having him, we will gladly give him to you. I know you and your children enjoy him immensely". My wife and I talked it over that night, and Bear became a permanent resident. Wow a Pure bred Chocolate Labrador, probably cost 400 to 600 dollars, 600 dollars to have trained.. WOW and they are giving him away.

The antic of Bear to follow...