Life with Nicholas

The story of Nicholas gets into more than just Nicholas. It also tells about some of the different animals that entered the Kyler household over a span of many years. It also gets into comparing animal episodes with human episodes. We can learn so much from animals! Nicholas was our second miniature Schnauzer. He entered our household over my own inner rebellion. I didn't think I had the time or patience during what was the busiest time of my work career to raise a puppy. People who raise puppies and/or kittens deserve medals! And yet, the rewards are unfailing love and loyalty. What more can one ask? When Nicholas was six months old, he suddenly started becoming protective. He barked at everything and anything. He even barked at the neighbor who lived across the street! Since our house was set back more than 300 feet from the road and the neighbor's house was set back as well. It was annoying, to say the least, to have Nicholas bark at something or someone that could barely be seen from our front porch! I decided then and there that Nicholas would never make it as a town dog. It was a good thing we lived in the country! Gus, by now, had resigned himself to the playful scamper of this young dog. He came to accept that wherever he went, Nicholas followed him like a shadow. He seemed to like it! Maybe he was beginning to appreciate his Big Brother role! Nicholas seemed to be the quicker of the two to notice if something moved, be it person, vehicle, or a leaf just fallen from a tree. He would start barking, and Gus would join in with his deep, "Woof," as if to say, "just what is this fuss?"