Zayd had it made. His new owner, Me, loved him and understood him. He did not want to be part of a pack, sharing the person he owned with other canines. When his person was at home in her apartment, he graciously welcomed other human females into their domain to receive well-deserved compliments and stroking. But Zayd would not tolerate intrusion by a male.  At the slightest whiff of testosterone, his teeth-baring, growling fury would take over. He would courageously protect his person and his domain with his life. However, it was reasonable to panic and hide in the closet when stormy weather filled the air with booming sounds.

In return for all Zayd did, his human fed him well, took him to a vet when needed, walked him twice a day and generally doted on him. In return, he shared the big soft bed with her, as long as she didn’t take up too much room or pull the covers.

Zayd tried to be good to her, but then — the unforgivable. An inkling of what was to come emerged when she brought another female (Pet Sitter was her name) into the apartment and showed her all the details of Zayd’s care, even allowing Pet Sitter on their walk, letting her hold his leash and pet him.

The next morning Zayd’s human told him she was going to Prescott to do research for her new mystery/thriller book, A Killing at Lynx Lake. She left. Without him. Sure, in the car he tended to crouch under her legs so she couldn’t step on those silly brake and accelerator pedals, but so what?  It was a lonely morning and afternoon. Why had his Human abandoned him?! Then Pet Sitter tried to break into the apartment. Zayd’s watch-dog, defender-dog, attack-dog instincts took over, regardless of his urgent need to pee on dirt. Did Pet Sitter get in? No!

When Zayd and his human reunited about three hours later, she explained what had happened. Fearful and distraught Pet Sitter called Human at her hotel in Prescott. Human called Landlord. Landlord came over, met with courageous resistance but finally got into the apartment and called Human, telling her Zayd was out of control. Human asked Landlord to let Zayd out to do his business. Then she drove home to the apartment. What a glorious reunion! Then Human belted Zayd into the back of the car and brought him with her to the hotel in Prescott, where he behaved admirably.

The end? Au finish?  No! A letter from Landlord arrived, demanding Zayd leave the property or Human leave the property. No argument; no alternative. Human distraught. She put an ad in the paper along with a stunningly impressive photo of Zayd. Who wouldn’t want to offer a good home to this beautiful canine? No response. Tearfully, she brought Zayd to the Green Valley Animal Shelter.

The end? Au finish? No! About a week later, during a rain storm, unable to be a peace, his Human went to the animal shelter to try to find out what happened to Zayd. Before she could ask, she saw him! An attendant was leading him from the shelter. His head was down, back hunched, tail between his legs, his beautiful black coat wet with rain water. Submissive. Oh no. Was this her brave Zayd? Then he climbed into a waiting car.

Human visited the new person in Zayd’s life and a joyful, tail-wagging, wiggling, semi-hysterical reunion ensued. Zayd was excited, too. Human supplied a crate and other supplies to New Human, including the stunning photo of Zayd in a cute frame. Human warned New Human about Zayd’s aversion to males of the human species.

A year later, Human called New Human to inquire about Zayd’s welfare. New Human said they loved each other, but they’d had such a rainy season Zayd wore out the carpet in the closet–and he did tend to crowd her in bed.

A week later, Human went back to the Shelter to ask about Zayd. The woman would not tell her much, but took her telephone number. The next day, Human received a call from the woman who adopted Zayd. She had seen his photo in the newspaper and coveted him, but she was wise to wait. The Shelter was so well endowed, they supplied cost-free vet care for the rest of an older animal’s life.

The end? Au finish? No! This is how Zayd sees himself, so this is how I describe him in Fatal Refuge and A Killing at Lynx Lake.                                                                                                                                                                                               

DANGEROUS DAYS FOR A LUCK DOG