Chapter 1

Robert read the ad again...

‘Free to good homes- I have three unaltered male bull terriers that need permanent homes. They are all good dogs. Come see for yourself and take one home. Please call for an appointment.’ So he had called. His conversation went like this:

Woman: Hello...

Robert: Hi, I am calling about the dogs.

Woman: O’course y’are.

Valley dweller Robert thinks to himself.

Robert: are they papered?

Woman: No, they’re white.

Robert: Sorry, I mean do they have pedigrees?

Woman: The vet says they are disease free.

Robert: Do you know if they are registered with the AKC?

Woman: They better be, it cost me 50 bucks to register the litter.

Robert: How old are they?

Woman: one year and two weeks.

Robert:what’s wrong with them?

Woman: Ain’t a damn thing wrong with them. I told you the vet says they’re fine. Maybe you better look for a different breed. I know a woman who breeds Poodles.

He let the comment pass. He had been living in South central Alaska long enough to know how to deal with the valley dwellers.

Robert: Why have you held on to them so long?

Woman: Well the females went right away, but my husband always trains the males special. He got deployed 4 months ago and didn’t get a chance to finish. Our regulars don’t want unfinished dogs. Any more questions?

Robert: Yes, when can I come see them?

The woman on the other end of the phone never gave her name, but she did give him directions to her house. She told him any time before 6 pm would be fine.

He hung up the phone and read the ad again. Weird... even for Alaska.