Bernadette turns 63 (9 in human years)  March 22, 2008 (click here to see pictures).  Bossy was born in Wayne County North Carolina, at Beverly's house on Rt. 111 during Bev's second go 'round with Terry Walker,  on March 22nd, 1999.  There were about 8 to 10  pups in the pen when I drove down to pick one out.  On the way to the pen I immediately knew that I couldn't pick one puppy over another, and I sure as hell couldn't take them all home.  I decided to just walk into the center of the pen and sit down,  One of the little snub-nosed bob-tailed hounds would have to pick me.  In much the same manner as she does now, Bernadette slinked her way over, nose to the ground, and checked me out.  I suppose I made the grade. 
     I don't remember exactly how it came about that I was going to get a dog.  To the best of my recollection it was a tag team between Beverly and Nicky.  We all knew that if Nicky wanted a dog then we would be getting a dog, and so it came to pass.  Little did anyone know how important this little loopy eared 15/16 boxer would end up being to me.     

     Bernadette would end up out-lasting Nicky as a Shoemaker family member and teach me things about life and love that I thought I already knew.  When Nicky and I divorced in the early summer of 2002, Bossy and I took off on a short whirlwind adventure on a rebound trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota in an ill-fated effort to rekindle a High School romance with an ex-cheerleader girlfriend. 
     I learned about unconditional love and loyalty, and that the demonstration of such, demanded reciprocity.  It didn't matter what was happening, where we were, or who the other human female hanging around was,  Bossy was the same regardless, and I noticed it and thought about it. 
     How is that humans, the most complex, highly developed life forms on the planet, can be so covertly cruel, calculatingly traitorous, and in the same instant,  clueless to the arts and skills of developing healthy relationships with others.  Bossy is a reminder to never lose sight of the basics; care for others as you would want them to care for you.  Be true to your character regardless of outside  

influences.  Get to know and understand yourself.  Always strive to better yourself and grow from your base.
     Through all of the traveling and upheaval of our family dynamic, Bernadette remained steadfast.  She learned to wait patiently while I scoped out hotels.  She learned to go quickly and quietly, in a direct path, to the hotel room.  In return I would faithfully reward her with a slice or two of pizza, a big bowl of fresh water, and her choice of which side of the king sized bed she wanted to sleep. 
     When we made our way to Bear Grass, North Carolina, we stayed for a few months with Beverly, who, by this time, had remarried to Ted Gurganus. 
     Ted and Beverly had just had a son between the two of them, Trey.  I was told that Bernadette had to stay in the garage while we were there.  It pained me severely. I felt like I was betraying her, like she was somehow now less important.  I spent long hours in the garage with her.  I made her a bed under the heater.  I setup my weights out there and worked out to spend more time with her.

Bernadette had been raised in the house and had never stayed one night  outside and I was sure that she was confused and just didn't understand why she was being treated like this.  I was so happy when we moved into a house at 7199 Bear Grass Road, NC where she could come back inside and back into the family. 
     After I started working with Lowe's Loss Prevention Department and transferred to Rocky Mount, Bossy spent most of the day at home alone.  I started dating Gail in September and she agreed that Boss would greatly benefit from a companion.  Here comes the Moose!!!  Ha!  Gabriella Shoemaker, a full blooded brindle boxer female...and another story altogether.  They have been an inseparable pair ever since.
     In April 2005 Gail also moved to Bear Grass and we are now a happy family of four.  The kids had beef shank and white cupcakes, a romp in the park, and a long nap in the sun for Boss' birthday.  May we all have many many more and ask for only love and loyalty for the love and loyalty that we have freely given.