Introduction
This story I am certain will cause much controversy and disruption in the dog world at large. Nevertheless, it is a true account of a fateful meeting between two individuals who shared a deep love for dogs, the Work and each other. I think also that the readers will begin to see the dog from a whole different perspective.

I dedicate this book to my children in whom my future is certain. May they enjoy this deeper look into how their father learned, not only to accept his faults and shortcomings in life, but also to communicate in a deep understanding with a creature unique from all others.

I would also like to dedicate this book to the three Barneys and four Heidis, Larko, Bear, Chantele, Mugs, Antis and last but not least, Cody, who had the heart to track when everyone said she did not. Most of all I dedicate this book to Guenther, a true Dogman by whose patience I was taught to accept those mysteries of life as the gifts they are meant to be. Also I learned that with faith the size of a mustard seed, one will experience the best of both the physical and spiritual aspects of life.

Chapter 1
The Meeting
In the late 60s, I was at a party in Niagara-on-the-Lake with some friends. On our way to the house where the party was to be held I noticed a house with two German Shepherd’s Dogs on the front lawn. They were beautiful dogs. Little was I to know at that time that this place I was passing would later play such a large role in my life.

The year was 1972, I was just married and driving a taxi for a living. I was sitting alone, drinking; a habit which was very much was part of my life. For whatever reason I thought I should get a dog. Perhaps I thought it would keep me company in my miserable existence. Perhaps it was fate. What came to mind was the house with the dogs from those years past.

I was driving in the afternoon so I decided to go in the morning to see if they had dogs for sale. I drove out to the road I remembered from the past. Once again the dogs were there, only this time there were four of them. I pulled my old pickup into the driveway and got out. The dogs did not bark. In fact they seemed to automatically separate and almost flank me. One of them went ahead to the door. The others moved with me watching me as I walked. The lawn and the gardens were park-like in their manicured fashion. When I got to the door three of the dogs sat behind me as if to block my retreat. The fourth sat to my right as I opened the outside door and used the brass doorknocker to announce my arrival.

Within a minute a tall, lean, older man with graying blonde hair and the bluest eyes I have ever seen answered the door. He looked right into my eyes and simply said, “YES”. I paused and told him I noticed he had dogs and I was looking for a pup. I asked if he had any.

This is my first meeting with Guenther and this is what he said, “DID I ADVERTISE PUPS FOR SALE?”
“No,” I answered.
He continued, “DID I ASK YOU TO COME HERE?”
“No,” I again answered.
He ordered, “THEN GO AWAY.”
He said something in German to his dogs and slammed the door in my face. The dogs escorted me back to my truck and the embarrassment I felt soon turned into anger.

All that afternoon and night as I drove, I thought only about this arrogant man and how he had treated me. I did what I always did; I drank. I drank and decided I would go back in the morning and punch this guy in the nose. Dogs or no dogs, I was going to teach him a lesson. It seemed I was always fighting back then. I was discontent with my life and very willing to take it out on anyone who got in my way.

Once again I drove out to the red brick house with the gardens. Once again the dogs met me. Once again they flanked me. Only this time the dog that went to the door barked, first at the door, then at me. The bark she gave the door was a different tone than the one she gave to me. She seemed to be warning me to stay where I was. I did not get to find out. Once again the tall lean man came to the door. “YOU,” he said.
I was too far back to hit him, but I was opened-mouthed ready to tell him a thing or two, when he abruptly said, “IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE DOGS BE HERE IN THE MORNING.”

Before I could say a single word the door again slammed in my face. Damn, I thought, he’s done it again. The dogs now seemed to almost want a piece of me and appeared to be crowding me, leaving a pathway open to my truck. I took the hint and left.

To hell with him, I thought. I probably know more about dogs than he does. I went back to my taxi and found I could not get that place, the man, or the dogs off of my mind. I thought I would be stupid to return to that place. The nut would just slam the door again. What, I wondered did he mean, when he asked if I wanted to learn about dogs? Was he offering me a job, or was he trying to make a buck off me? No matter what, I was not going back.

I did not sleep much that night, but that was not unusual in those days. Sleep was, it seemed an elusive ally and when I did find it, it was usually fevered and short. That night I tossed and turned with thoughts of that place.

Early next morning, I was on my way back to see what punishment awaited me. As I pulled up, the man stood in front of a block building at the end of the driveway. Six German Shepherd’s Dogs surrounded him. They did not run up to my truck. Instead, they stayed by his side. When I stopped and opened my door, four of them approached me. Again I was out-flanked. I was starting to get an uneasy feeling that there was more going on here than met the eye....

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