By Jon Katz
We hardly had a bad moment, the three of us, so nearly did we fit together, interlocking pieces of the varied partnership between humans and dogs.
Julius and Stanley embodied the noblest characteristics of their proud breed. They were handsome, loyal, utterly dependable, and affectionate, Julius came first. My daughter was young, and while there are different viewpoints about this, I personally don’t believe there’s a more rewarding moment for a parent than handing a happy, squirming, doe-eyed Lab puppy over to a small kid. I carry the look on her face in
my memory, and while there are times when I can’t remember what day of the week it is, I can always recall the wonder and joy in her eyes as if it had just happened.
Although I bought the dog with my daughter in mind, she was soon playing computer games and collecting garish-looking dolls,and I was out in the chill winter mornings cheering and exulting when a puzzled but earnest puppy took a dump outside.