I know everyone loves their dogs, but I'm bordering on obsession here. We've had the very good fortune of owning some remarkable dogs (and a few real messes) but I can honestly say that this young pup is the most remarkable dog I've ever owned and maybe ever known.

I didn't even want him! That blue eye! OY! I know it makes him stand out, but honestly! That's not what I was looking for. I was looking for a nice black headed tri female that I could enjoy and who would be a bit more hardy than my whippet out with our horses (and at rodeos and such). An obedient dog I could flip on her back and who would submit, a bit on the mellow side, and definitely submissive. THIS pup! Geesh! All gnashing teeth and an attitude as big as Texas! Territorial, bossy, and totally unwilling to submit at 6 weeks of age! NO! I am not getting that rotten pup! Darn kids...

So I brought him home...and knocked him down. And did it again. And again. And suddenly, this defiant little ball of fluff gave me "the look". "Hmmm....I think this lady gets me", was the look. Over to the corner to lay down...and watch every expression that crossed my face, every move I made. I was still not impressed. "He's bossy and arrogant.... knock him down every chance you get. Take his food, his toys, his chews, his bed...do not let him be boss!" He growled and snarled at my husband, He tore hair out of my daughters head. He terrorized our poor ancient whippet. He refused to submit to our youngest son. BUT, he was watching me.

Within 4 weeks he was completely housebroken and toddled his little legs out of our dog door. Completely. He'd had a couple of bouts of "who cares" accidents...and I went against my training and scolded him harshly in the act. My disgust was enough to polish his training off beautifully. He crate trained immediately and never fussed if we had to leave him. He started joining us at "The Ranch" to visit the horses and never showed a moments fear of them or the cattle...but was sufficiently submissive not to be torn to pieces by the ranch dogs. And then he started to become remarkable.

All of his watching became devotion. He learned to 'sit', 'down', and 'come' within a few tries. By the time we joined puppy classes, he was a star pupil and picked up every command in less than 5 minutes and would retain it. Those eyes...always watching, always considering, always focused..."what does she want?". I would go into my bedroom and close the door on his nose....to come out 1/2 an hour later and find him laying with his nose on his paws. Waiting to watch. When I sit on the couch, there's a spot not a foot from me that is starting to indent with his form. If I choose a chair, there's a place at my feet he lays across. When we hop in the car, he's either on the floor with his head in the center or under my legs (if I'm not driving). Devotion.

We called him JayCee's Noble Tagalong because we hoped he would bond to my daughter and they would be lifelong friends. They do share a special bond, there is no denying that. But this dog that I did not want, this small faulted animal, somehow dug his way into my heart.