Treyce, The Killer Dog

My daughter's future husband  was the owner (in absentia) of a six year old Boxer named Treyce. I had never been exposed to the breed before, and it had been decades since I was emotionally connected to any pets.My childhood always had had a dog in it, and my parents had two dogs during their empty nester days until the dogs reached the end of their lifespan.

However, that was decades ago. My empty nest life had begun and we were enjoying the freedom to move about without a second thought. Well, after the work-week was over, at least.

Back to Treyce... The neighborhood in which she was living was without leash laws and all the neighborhood dogs roamed freely. Treyce got into a serious tussle with a small yapping dog and the small yapping dog lost. Fatally. Yapping small dogs and all cats were Treyce's enemies. Oh, and squirrels. My daughter and her future husband rushed to rescue Treyce from the neighborhood before there were any thoughts about putting her down, and brought her back to our home town, where we lived and where they both were graduate students.

My daughter was very excited to have me meet Treyce. I'll never forget THAT conversation, which took place over four years ago. I asked my daughter, in disbelief: "Do you REALLY want to introduce your MOTHER to a KILLER DOG?" She insisted that Treyce wasn't "like that" and that I'd like her. Reluctantly, I invited her and the killer dog over to the house.

Before I go on, let me say that, although I had always grown up with dogs, they were all small dogs. Two were dachshunds, one was a basset hound (ok, not so small but definitely SHORT!), one was a 5-pound teacup poodle, and the other was a miniature schnauzer.

My daughter would be over in 15 minutes, and I didn't know what to think. A killer dog was coming into MY home, and I didn't even know what a Boxer was. And, AND, this killer dog was going to be living with my daughter. My days of having any influence  with my daughter were long, long gone. The killer dog was coming over, and I'd better make the best of it if I wanted to keep seeing my daughter. Of that you can be sure.

I saw her car drive up and I let the two of them come to the kitchen door. In walked my daughter and Treyce.

Next: Meeting the Killer Dog