Not long after we moved to the farm on State Road in Mapleton, Maine we got a dog we named Brownie. Right from the start Bobby and Brownie did not get along. Bobby would blame Brownie and I am sure if Brownie could talk he would blame Bobby.

I don't know how many times Bobby would come into the house crying. He would accuse Brownie af being mean to him. It seemed to be an everyday thing between my little brother and our dog. Bobby would go outside to play and then a few minutes later he would come in and tell Mum and Dad Brownie had bit him again.

I always wondered why Brownie disliked Bobby so much yet got along fine with the rest of us kids. One day Bobby went out to play in the snow. Bobby was only four-years-old and I was five-years-old so being the nice big brother I am I told Mum I would look out the window every so often to make sure Bobby was still in sight and o.k.

On one trip to the window I heard Bobby heading towards the snowbank which was on the front lawn. I started walking towards the window to check on Bobby. As I pulled the drape back I could see Brownie starting to climb up the snowbank. Then I saw Bobby sneeking up behind Brownie. I stood and watched. There was just something about the way Bobby looked as he snuck up behind Brownie.

I couldn't believe what I saw Bobby do. Bobby grabbed Brownie by the tail and clamped his teeth down on the poor dogs tail. Brownie yelped and then turned and snapped at Bobby. Brownie missed so he was not able to pay Brownie back. I ran to Mum and told her I just saw Bobby bite Brownie on the tail. In less than one minute Bobby came running in the house crying. He told Mum Brownie was being mean to him and tried to bite him again. Now, we all knew the real truth. All this time it was Bobby who was mean to Brownie. Bobby wanted Brownie out of the way for some reason and probably figured if he got Brownie to bite him Brownie would be kicked out of the family. But, Bobby hadn't counted on his older brother witnessing his abuse toward Brownie.Bobby was not done with Brownie yet though.

Mum and Dad always bought us three older boys the same toys. None of us really liked the fact we always got toys that looked just alike. One day Mum and Dad brought us boys home new red toy trucks. As always there was no way to tell which toy really belonged to which boy. Us boys decided it was time to make our toys so we could tell who each toy belonged to. We went into the potato field with our new trucks. Each of us boys picked up a rock and dropped it on our new toy truck.Little Jim and I were smart enough to know a little dent would help us tell which red toy truck belonged to which one of us boys. Bobby on the other hand thought his truck needed just a little more dents so Bobby picked up a big rock from the potato field. Bobby grunted as he lifted the rock above his head and then with as much force as he had, he slammed the rock onto his new toy truck. The little red truck was flattened. Bobby started crying. He ran to the house with us two older brothers right behind him.

Mum heard Bobby crying and calling to her. Mum was standing on the front steps when us boys got to the house. Mum asked Bobby what was wrong and asked him if he got hurt. Bobby held his not so new looking little red truck out and said to my mother, "Mum look what that G--damned dog did to my brand new truck."

-- george nh (rcoopwalpole@aol.com), January 31, 2002

Answers

George, just wanted to let you know this story is to cute, I wish I was able to remember some of the things that took place when we were little, i do remember some of the things you did, I think today they are funny, but back in the day you were the only one who saw the humar in what went on, I Love You, and I Love being your little sister. Can't waite for the book!!!!

-- Deneen fl (Gradydubose@aol.com), January 31, 2002.

I love this story-man I hope my boys don't go around biting on dog tails. Is this where that old saying frogs and snails and puppy dog tails comes from?

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), February 01, 2002.

Good-morning Deneen and Terri. My little sister has found this forum and after reading my stories she thinks I don't have any about her. I'll bet I do and I may tell one or two about her in the future.

Terri, I don't know about snakes and snails and puppy dog tails but I'll bet at times Brownie would have been better off if he had his tail docked, well maybe not who knows what Bobby would have bit if no tail to bite. I anm glad you two enjoyed this story.George

Deneen, Yes I did find lots of the stories from when we were kids humorous and I still do which is why I wrote them. I want all my brothers and sisters to always remember the way we were and be able to share these stories with their kids. It was great fun growing up with all of you and if I had to do it all again I would. You all are the greatest I do love you all very much. George

-- george nh (rcoopwalpole@aol.com), February 01, 2002.