"I need to get on out and check the work being done on the fences," Heath added. "Nothin' like gettin' a head start on things."

"I'm going to the orphanage today," Audra interjected. "I may as well leave soon, too."

"Well, seems we're all gonna be busy ," said Nick. "I've got some hirin' to do for when the fruit gets ripe, then I----"

"If you don't mind," Victoria Barkley interrupted her second son, "There is something of importance I would like to discuss with you this morning."

"But Mother, can't it wait?" Nick growled. "Everyone seems to be off to a busy day."

"Yes, Mother, they are expecting me at the orphanage," Audra whined.

"It can wait, Dear," said Victoria. "This can't wait any longer, I'm afraid."

"What is it, Mother?" Jarrod asked, serious.

Victoria straightened her back, set down her orange juice glass, and addressed her family. "We have a decision to make."

"A decision?" Heath said. "About ranch business?"

"Not really," the family matriarch answered.

"Family business, Mother?" Jarrod probed.

"Yes, I would say so."

"What is it, then?" Nick wondered, impatient.

"We need to decide on what breed we want for our family dog," said Victoria, not blinking an eye.

"Oh, Mother!" Audra enthused, her blue eyes bright with eagerness. "Are we finally going to get a dog?"

"A dog!" Nick roared. "You really expect all of us to sit here and discuss what breed of dog to get?"

"Yes, Dear, I do," Victoria replied, calm in the face of her volatile son's outburst.

"Well, pretty lady," Jarrod spoke up. "I suppose I can spare a bit of time for that."

"Boy Howdy, I can't," said Heath and pushed back his chair. "Heath!" Victoria implored. "You will not leave this table until I say so!"

Obviously not liking it, the son who had come to the family as an adult, remained seated at the table. "Alright, Mother, I'm willing to listen for a while."

"Yes, you are," said Victoria. "Now, there are, as I'm sure you all know, many, many breeds of dogs to choose from. I believe we should all take our turn at revealing which breed we prefer, and then we can have a family discussion about it. Jarrod, why don't you go first?"

Jarrod appeared uncomfortable to have been chosen. "Well, Mother, I really have never given it much thought. As you probably know, I'm not particularly a dog lover. I like them, of course---"

"Which breed, Jarrod?" Victoria demanded.

The Barkley attorney jumped slightly at his mother's harsh tone. Evidently, she was serious about this. "Well, I do enjoy seeing one of those nice Labrador Retriever's sitting at its master's side. I suppose it would be nice to have one to keep a fellow company by the hearth."

"Oh, Jarrod, that's such a large dog," Audra began, "I like the little ones. I'd love to have one of those Pomeranians. They're so cute and cuddly. They look like a baby lion."

"A lion!" Nick reacted to his sister's choice. "A little dog like that couldn't beat its way out of a wet paper sack."

"Alright, Nick," said Victoria. "What would you prefer?"

"Oh, well, uh, let me see," Nick reflected, "I like the Labradors, too, but I really like the Setters better. A nice English Setter for me. Good sense of humor, lean and active, friendly. Yep, I choose an English Setter."

"Heath, your choice?" Victoria requested.

"Collie."

"Collies are beautiful, Heath," Audra said. "Any particular reason you like them?"

"Nope, just think they are a nice dog." Heath said.

"Alright," Victoria began. "We have a Labrador for Jarrod, a Pomeranian for Audra, an English Setter for Nick, and a Collie for Heath."

"And what is your choice, Mother?" Jarrod asked.

Victoria smiled. "My choice is a Great Dane. They are so stately. Large but gentle. I would be so proud to have one walking alongside of me."

"So, with everybody choosing a different one, how do we decide?" Nick ventured to ask.

"Maybe we could each have a dog," Audra said hopefully.

"No, no, only one dog," Victoria quickly put an end to any such ideas.

"Well, Mother, then why don't you get a Great Dane?" Jarrod said. "You are the head of the family, and I think you should have your choice."

Victoria smiled sweetly. "That's very kind of you, Jarrod, but no, we must talk this out, come to a compromise."

"But Mother," Nick began, "I don't think any of us care all that much.

Do we, Heath?"

Heath looked uncomfortable. His head was down. "I really would like to have a Collie," he said.

The statement, added to the melancholy expression on Heath's face, caused the others to stare at him. Jarrod spoke. "Heath, there must be some reason why you are so set on the one breed.

What is it?"

Nick intervened. "Now, Pappy, it don't matter. If Heath wants a Collie, then I say get a Collie. It's fine with me. I don't know why it is suddenly all that important to have a dog, but if it is---"

Victoria interrupted. "Yes, it is, but I won't agree to Heath's choice until we've all discussed it further."

"Discussed it, Mother?" Jarrod asked, arching his brow slightly. "Perhaps you should tell us why this is suddenly so important."

"And perhaps I shouldn't," Victoria snapped. "Now, since we have no agreement, let's begin again. This time, each of you make a second choice. And I want an honest one. Don't say Collie, just because you think that's what Heath wants."

"But, Moth----" began Jarrod.

"No buts!" the imposing head of the household insisted. "Now, Nick, you lead off this time.What would be your second choice?"

Nick knitted his eyebrows together. Obviously perplexed by the turn of events at the breakfast table, he appeared to be thinking. Finally, he said, "I suppose, if I can't have the Setter, I would choose one of those feisty little fellows, the black and white ones, what? Oh yea, a Terrier, a Fox Terrier."

Audra laughed aloud. "Nick, a big man like you would look so funny with such a small dog trotting along beside of you."

"Is that a fact!" Nick bellowed. "I just happen to think a Fox Terrier is a man's dog! Always ready for the hunt or whatever. Don't you, Jarrod?"

"I suppose, Nick, but a Fox Hound might be better. Come to think of it, I believe that would be my second choice. A rather distinguished sporting dog."

"That's nice, Jarrod," said Victoria, seemingly in a better mood.

"Audra, Dear, what would be your second preference?"

"Well-----I really would like to have an Afghan," Audra replied. "They are so gorgeous."

"An Afghan!" Nick growled. "Sis, those dogs don't have a lick of sense. Oh, they're beautiful---" He paused, then grinned broadly. "I guess they are sort of like you, Audra. Beautiful but----"

"Nick!" Victoria cut him off. "That will do. Now, Heath, it's time for your second choice."

"I don't have a second choice. It's a Collie or nothin' for me."

Again, the family focused on Heath. Obviously, he was not taking this discussion about dogs with a grain of salt. He looked both sad and mad. Victoria was not going to let him off the hook.

"Heath, Dear, surely there must be another breed of dog you would consider, just for the sake of conversation, at least."

Heath scowled deeply. "Oh, alright, I'll play along. A Chihuahua. My second choice would be a Chihuahua."

Audra snickered, Nick fidgeted, and Jarrod spoke. "A Chihuahua, Heath? That seems a more likely choice for Audra. A small dog that she could carry around in her pocket."

"Well, maybe brother Heath here means he'd like a dog that would snip at the heels of those who aggravate him. Is that it, Heath?" Nick wondered.

"I think Chihuahuas have been given a bum rap," Heath said, serious.

"They are a nice little dog. They don't like to be grabbed at and pestered, and if you don't do that, they give you lots of affection."

"I see," Victoria said. "And you like that in a dog, Heath?"

Heath smiled that quick don't blink or you'll miss it smile. "Yes, I do."

"That's nice, Dear. Well, everyone but me has made a second choice, so I---"

"Wait!" Audra suddenly implored. "I want to change my second choice!"

"Just like a woman," Nick grumbled.

"Oh, Nick," Audra complained.

"Never mind, Dear," Victoria intervened. "If you want to make another choice, go ahead."

"Well, I think I would choose a Poodle instead of an Afghan. They are so graceful and elegant. Smart, too."

With good humor in his eyes, Jarrod said, "Yes, they really are, Audra. Good choice. Of course, they take a lot of work keeping them groomed."

"No more than a horse," Nick said. "And it would give you somethin' to do besides fuss about your own grooming. I think a Poodle is a good choice for you, Sis, but I hope we don't end up with one for our family dog. Now, Mother, what's your second choice?"

"Yes, well," Victoria began, "I believe I'll pick a Doberman."

"A Doberman, Mother?" Jarrod seemed surprised. "Wouldn't that be more of a man's dog?"

"How so, Dear?"

"I'll answer that, Jarrod," Nick took over. "You couldn't handle a Doberman, Mother. They are high strung and likely to turn mean if you don't keep them in control. Of course, some people want them mean."

"Yes, and I think that's a terrible thing to do to a dog," Audra told them. "I understand they aren't naturally mean, but like Nick says, some people want to bring out those tendencies in them."

"Well, of course, pretty lady," Jarrod then said, "They are often used as guard dogs. They are smart and easy to train."

"And I could handle one just fine," said Victoria. "Now, we've each given two choices."

"So, how do we settle on one, Mother?" Nick wanted to know. "Surely, we can choose now that we've talked about all of these different breeds."

"I don't think so. Not just yet, Dear," said the imposing lady at the head of the table. "I believe we are just beginning to get into it. Let's all make a third choice.

Heath, your turn to go first."

Heath said nothing for what seemed like a very long time to the others at the table. Finally, he remarked, "I'd like to have a Rottweiller. Yea, a Rottweiller."

"Oh, Heath," Audra purred, "They are beautiful, but they have a reputation worse than a Doberman."

"I don't care about their reputation!" Heath exclaimed. "And if Mother can handle a Doberman, then I can handle a Rottweiller."

"Odd choices you're makin', Heath," Nick ventured. "First, an even tempered laid back workin' dog. Then, a little feisty Chihuahua, and now a huge animal that needs firm discipline."

Victoria warned, "Nick, Dear, let's move on. What's your third choice?"

Nick suddenly beamed. "I want a Boxer. Now, there's a good friend! Strong, friendly, energetic to the end. beautiful----"

"Beautiful, Nick?" Jarrod cut in. "All of those breeds with the pug nose, I don't see how you can think of them as beautiful."

"Is that a fact!" said Nick, still smiling. "Well, I happen to think they're so ugly they're beautiful. That's what I happen to think, and I'd love to have one."

"You sound like you're making a Boxer your first choice now, Nick," said Audra.

The second born Barkley son contemplated the suggestion before saying, "It is a close call between the English Setter and the Boxer. I like them both. But I'll stick with the Setter for a first choice."

"Alright," Victoria said. "Audra, your third choice, Dear?"

"Oh my," began the only daughter in the family, "I've chosen only small dogs before. I think I'll go with a Dalmation. They are so pretty and they love being around horses."

"Ah, good choice for you, pretty lady," Jarrod smiled. "And my third choice would be a Chow Chow."

"A Chow, Jarrod!" Heath joined the conversation. "You surely wouldn't want one of them, would you?"

"And why not?" Jarrod questioned his brother.

"They have ice water in their veins," Heath replied. "They're arrogant, snooty."

"And mean," Audra added. "Although I've heard many of them make wonderful pets. And they really do look like lions."

"They also have a kind of sophisticated foreign air about them," said Victoria. "A lot like you, Jarrod."

"Yea, but Jarrod don't have a purple tongue," Nick said.

Heath and Audra snickered. Jarrod said, "Never mind, it's only my third choice anyway. I still like the Labrador."

"I guess it's my turn again," Victoria stated. "And this time I choose a Maltese."

"Mother!" Nick objected. "You don't want a lap dog. Why, all you'd ever get done with one of those little things is to sit around and hold it. That's not like you at all."

"Oh, I think Mother would look wonderful with a sweet little dog on her lap," Audra said.

"Especially when she's in her robe and sitting by the fire at night," Jarrod added.

"Oh, well, I guess that would be alright," Nick admitted.

"Thank you, Nick," Victoria smiled. "Now, I have a surprise for all of you."

"A surprise?" Audra asked.

"I bet I know what it is," Nick chuckled, confident.

"I have a good idea, myself," said Jarrod, good naturedly.

"I have no idea," Heath said.

"Well, I'm sure you all think I've gone ahead and chosen a family dog, but that's not my surprise," Victoria told them. "My surprise is your brother Eugene."

"Eugene?" Audra said, sounding disappointed. "How is he a surprise, Mother?"

"He has been listening outside of the dining room door to this conversation," Victoria was matter of fact. "And he has something to tell us."

Eugene Barkley came through the door. His family stared at him. "Hello," he said. "Before you all get mad at me and Mother, I want you to know this will be painless. It's just a bit of analysis I'm doing for College."

"Wait a minute!" Nick roared. ""What the blazes is goin' on here?"

Again, Heath pushed back his chair. "I got work to do. Excuse me---"

"Heath, please stay," Victoria requested. "I think you'll find this interesting. Gene, go ahead."

"Alright, Mother," said the youngest of her children. "I asked Mother to bring up the subject of dogs and have you each make three choices. You see, it gives me a chance to delve into your personalities for my school paper."

"My Dear young fellow," Jarrod began in an even tone. "I don't think this is quite the thing for you to do. If you want to delve, perhaps you should find others more willing to cooperate."

"Yes, Gene. Why Mother, I'm surprised you would allow this," Audra offered her opinion. "It don't hardly seem right to me, either," Heath agreed.

Nick expressed his thoughts on the matter. "I should say it's not right and no way should we have to sit here and----"

"That will do!" Victoria said with authority. "Now, Eugene, please proceed."

"Yes, Mother."

Each member of the family accepted their fate and prepared to listen.

Eugene stood behind Victoria's chair and began speaking. "Well, you see, very often people choose a breed of dog which matches their personality. Often times, they don't even realize it. Then, someone who understands psychology takes the opportunity to try to understand what it is about a person that makes them have a certain breed. I have been listening and have actually written down----"

"Get on with it, Gene!" Nick roared.

"Alright, I will. I'll start with you, Nick."

"What do you mean, you'll start with me! You gonna pick my brain about which dogs I like? Is that it?"

"Yes, Dear, I believe that's exactly it," Victoria pronounced. "Go ahead, Eugene."

Yes, well, Nick, you chose an English Setter, a Fox Terrier and a Boxer. Correct?"

"If you say so," Nick grumbled. "You were the one eavesdropping."

"Alright. Now, let's start with the Setter," Gene said, undaunted by his brother's attitude. "A very happy dog, the English Setter. Happy, smart, very friendly, personable, handsome. Downside, very hyper, unable to sit still."

Despite their apprehension about what was occurring, the family smiled at the comparison of Nick's choice to Nick himself. Jarrod voiced his thoughts. "Well, brother Nick, that does sound a lot like you."

"And then," Eugene hurried on, "you chose a Fox Terrier. Nothing like you in size, of course, but it has a rather arrogant, don't mess with me or I'll snip at you attitude. A Fox Terrier will take on anything and anybody, but it is also an intelligent animal and loyal to family."

Again, the other Barkleys could not hide their smiles. Audra spoke up this time. "And how about Nick's third choice, Gene?"

"Yes, a Boxer," Gene smiled. "The breed shares many traits with Nick."

"What!" Nick exclaimed. "How so?"

"Lots of energy," Gene explained. "Boundless energy. Always ready for activity. Friendly, but often strangers don't know that because of its rather ferocious appearance. They don't know it's just a pussy cat inside."

Audra laughed aloud, causing Heath to grin, Jarrod to smile, Victoria to allow a slight smile, and Nick to scowl deeply. The latter spoke, "I'm not a pussy cat. I certainly don't mind being compared to a Boxer, though. They are a fine dog."

"Of course they are, Dear," his mother said. "Now, Eugene, why don't you move on to someone else? I'm sure we can all see now how the game is played."

"Well, I don't really think of it as a game, Mother," Gene hedged. "More like an experiment, really. But I will move on. Why don't I take Audra next?"

Audra focused on her younger brother. "You are going to compare my personality to my choices for a dog?"

"Yes, Audra, that's what I just did for Nick and now I'm going to do that for you."

Audra bit her lip. "Well, alright, but I hope I won't be embarrassed."

"Wait a minute!" Nick ranted. "You didn't mind embarrassing me!"

"Alright, you two," Victoria soothed. "Just calm down. Go ahead, Gene."

"Audra's first choice was a Pomeranian, a very small, fluffy, beautiful faced dog. Sweet natured, proud little fellows. Not one of the more intelligent breeds, but certainly far from the least intelligent."

"That doesn't sound so bad," Audra pouted.

"Of course not, Dear," Victoria reassured. "And her next choice, Eugene?"

"Next, if you remember, she chose an Afghan," Gene went on. "Of course, she changed her choice to a Poodle later, but----"

"I changed because Nick made fun of the Afghan," Audra said. "I still like them, though. What's so bad about them?"

"I'm sure they have good and bad points," Victoria answered. "Isn't that right, Eugene?"

"Yes, Mother, " agreed Eugene. "The good, of course, is their tremendous beauty. They have long, gorgeous hair and great agility. They do rank somewhere toward the bottom of the scale when it comes to intelligence, though."

"So that makes me dumb, just because I chose one?" Audra inquired, looking daggers at her younger brother.

It was Jarrod who tried to soothe ruffled feathers. "Now, Audra, if you recall, you changed your choice and really didn't choose an Afghan, and I'm sure no one meant to call you dumb."

"No, because the breed you changed to is one of the smartest by most standards," Gene hurried to say. "Most trainers say the Poodle is the easiest to train of all the breeds. They have a natural love of showing off and they love to please the humans they love."

"I'd say that sounds a lot like you, Sis," Heath spoke up.

"Thank you, Heath," Audra said. "And what about my third choice, Gene?"

"The Dalmation, yes. Well, there is great beauty there, as well. A lot of energy. Average intelligence, and, as you said, a super horse lover. You riding in a carriage with a Dalmation sitting next to you would be a lovely sight, Sis."

"Yes, it would," Victoria put in. "So, now that we know about Nick and Audra's choices, what about Jarrod's?"

Eugene smiled broadly. "Jarrod is a country gentleman most of the time. Therefore, he chose a country gentleman's dog. A Labrador Retriever is a friendly, good natured, yet energetic animal, that is content to either lay by his master's side or go on a hunt. Having one makes a person seem happy with life, content with their lot."

"That sounds like you, Pappy," Nick said. "Yea, that's you, Jarrod," Heath added.

"Alright, what about Jarrod's second choice?" Victoria asked.

"Yes, well, Jarrod chose a Fox Hound there," Gene said. "I suppose that represents a sort of royal air that he has about him."

"Royal air?" Jarrod spoke up for himself. "Me? I'm not royalty."

"You act like it sometimes, though, Jarrod," Nick said. "But his choice is nothin' but a hound dog, when you get right down to it."

"That's true, Nick," Gene said, "but when you think of folks dressed up and riding out for the hunt, you think of gloriously formal occasions, parties, and so forth. Jarrod would fit right in."

"Yea, well, I'm interested to know how the Chow fits in," said Heath.

Jarrod frowned. "I believe I've already been told what everyone thinks of that breed."

"But we haven't heard Gene's thoughts on it," Victoria put in. "Gene, why would Jarrod choose a Chow?"

"Yes, Jarrod's certainly not nasty tempered, no one is afraid of him," Audra said.

"Maybe he would like for people to be more fearful of him, though," Gene said. All heads jerked up at the statement. Jarrod himself asked the question on everyone's tongue. "Whatever do you mean by that?"

Eugene spoke calmly. "I only mean, Jarrod, that the Chow choice represents the other side of you. We all have more than one side. The breed is reserved, standoffish, a bit arrogant. It's an Asian breed, of course, so it has an air of mystery about it."

"Well, you are reserved sometimes, Jarrod," Audra said kindly.

"You do stand back and take in the situation before jumping in," Victoria added. "And you are, perhaps, somewhat arrogant, but I think it adds to your charm, Dear."

"I think we should move on with this," Nick said. "We've got Mother and Heath left. Which one are you gonna do first?"

"I want to save Heath for last," Gene replied. "So, Mother it is."

"This should be interesting, Dear," Victoria said to Gene. "Go ahead. Why did I choose a Great Dane?"

Eugene seemed pleased to have come to his mother's first choice. "The Great Dane is much like you, Mother."

"Wait a minute!" Nick objected. "Are you comparin' Mother to a dog?"

"He's comparin' all of us to dogs, Nick," Heath said.

"Yea, well, go ahead," Nick grumbled.

"Alright, I will," said Gene, smiling. "A Great Dane is a sophisticated dog. Very kind hearted, yet large enough to need a strong handler. Now, Mother, you don't need a handler, but you do stand very tall in this Valley and in this family. You command everyone's attention in a very kind way."

"Thank you, Gene," Victoria said. "But why do you think I would choose a Doberman?"

The youngest Barkley appeared a bit reluctant to voice his theory. "Well---"

"Well, what?" his mother demanded. "Go ahead and tell me. I can take it."

"Nothing wrong with Dobermans, Mother," Gene hurried to say. "As you've already discussed, they are a strong and intelligent breed. And you are a strong and intelligent woman. You probably would like a Doberman at your side to, uh----"

"Intimidate people?" Victoria finished for him.

"Yes, that's what I was thinking. And to show the world you can handle any situation."

Victoria laughed. "Perhaps," she said. "But why a Maltese?"

Glad to be passed the Doberman issue, Eugene told her, "Ah, Mother, that's your loving, sweet side coming out. It's easy to picture you holding a sweet little dog, loving it, and having it love you in return. Since all of us are grown, you could mother the dog."

"Okay, that's everybody but Heath," Nick said. "Let's get this over with. Why in the world is he so set on a Collie?"

There was a sudden tenseness in the dining room. Everyone felt it. Eugene added to it by attempting to diffuse it. "I thought we would skip over the Collie for a while and start with the Rottweiller."

When no one else said anything, Heath grinned at Gene and asked him. "Alright, little brother, why do you think I'd choose a Rottweiller?"

"To prove you're formidable," Gene replied without hesitation. "You want everyone here in the Valley, including your family, to know you're tough. The Rottweiller is a tough dog. They can be friendly, but they aren't to be taken lightly by anyone, not even their owner."

"That could be true of Heath," Audra suggested. "He doesn't want people to take him lightly, I mean he wants them to know that just because----"

"Because I'm a bastard don't mean I'm not human?" Heath sliced into his sister's attempt to explain.

"Yes, well, Gene could be on the right track there," Victoria said diplomatically. "Now, surely a Chihuahua has an entirely different meaning for him."

"The Chihuahua choice is because Heath likes to protect things from hurt, from harm. He likes the idea that the small dog takes on the world just like the small, well, like the people who have it hard in this world."

"Like I had it all those years," Heath said, serious.

"Again, you could be correct," Victoria said.

"Okay, okay, now about the Collie," Nick persisted. "At first, he was set on one, acted like there was no other choice."

"Yes," Gene said. "And I wasn't surprised."

"What does that mean?" Heath asked, almost menacingly. "What do you know?"

"Now, now, fellows," Jarrod spoke up. "This is only a discussion for the purpose of Eugene's schooling. No need to let it get out of hand."

"Nothing's out of hand, Jarrod," Eugene explained. "I say I'm not surprised, because a Collie is known to be a boy's best friend, especially a boy who----"

"Who's all alone, except for his Momma," Heath interrupted. It seemed to the others as if he'd gone into a trance and was no longer aware of their presence. "A friend of a boy who badly needs a friend, that's what a Collie is, and I'm still that boy sometimes, even though I try not to be. We couldn't afford a dog, of course, so I never had one. But, boy howdy, I surely did want one."

While Heath was speaking, Eugene stepped out of the room. He was quickly back and in his arms was a female Collie pup. "Heath, I'm happy to grant your wish."

There was much laughter and, if truth be known, a few tears. They all made over the pup and then something occurred to Nick. He turned to Eugene. "Hey, college boy, how come you didn't tell us what breed of dogs you would choose?"

Gene frowned. "I'm afraid I'm a very undefined person yet, Nick. I'm sort of nonexistent to everyone, so I guess for now I'd be content with a Collie-Shepard-Chow-Bassett Hound-Labrador-Welsh Corgi mix."