On some mornings, the son would go out to feed the dog and the barking would stop for a few minutes. He spoke soothingly to the dog, using his new name, and the dog looked just quizzical instead of murderous. When the family arrived home in their car, the dog stood quietly behind his fence with his eyes on the garage. Little by little, the meanness of the dog was melting.

There once was an old and nasty man. He lived on the edge of town in a house that was an embarrassment to his neighbors, though he felt no shame. His yard was often filled with trash and always staked with signs which made it clear that visitors were unwelcome.

As he aged and drove everyone from his life, the man grew lonely (though he would not have used this word). So the man bought a dog. When the dog arrived at the house he was muscular and fast but sweet and playful. The dog would not be kind and affectionate for long.

The man quickly trained the dog to be as nasty as he was. Through beatings, neglect, and other harsh punishments, the man shaped the dog into a vicious animal. The dog snarled and lunged at everyone who came close and attacked any animals within reach. Though the dog was bound to a chain staked in the yard, everyone who saw the dog stayed far away. This dog was one hundred plus pounds of muscle and teeth and there was little reason to think the chain would hold if the dog wanted to attack.

The dog was loyal to the man because he had no choice and knew no better. The man ruled the dog with great cruelty; he considered the dog a weapon and tool and treated him with all the affection one might have toward a rubber mallet. The dog did whatever his master wanted because his life depended on it.

After a few years, the nasty man died, and the man’s three children were notified. He had driven them away long ago, and while they weren’t surprised to see the state of his home, everything there was a reminder of a sad chapter of their lives. Their mother had cut off contact with her ex-husband years before, and they didn’t blame her.

After the house was emptied and listed for sale, the siblings prepared to return to their homes. The only question that remained was what should happen to the dog. While they were working on the house, they moved the dog to a shed in the back yard, but they went nowhere near him. He was as mean as ever.

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