It was a warm March afternoon. I was curled up on the couch, completely absorbed in the works of Oscar Wilde. Suddenly a red rubber ball fell into my lap. I looked up and saw the mischievous nine-year-old smiling at me. The sun's rays played on her dark-haired body. The yellow streaks looked like someone had sprinkled gold all over it. He wet his nose and looked at me intently. His piercing dark coffee eyes could make anyone feel uncomfortable. Marshal, the brilliant German Shepherd was trying to hypnotize me. Marshal entered our family when he was a puppy of just two months. He has been my partner and best friend ever since. Growing up he was the naughtiest dog you could ever imagine. Years of training from my mother have made him more docile and mature. Contrary to the temperament of his breed, he is very friendly with everyone. The Marshal is as popular in our community as a celebrity. Both children and adults enjoy playing with him. Although he is very affectionate, no stranger can enter our home without his approval. Because of his appearance, the kids nicknamed him “The Wolf”. My wedding was to be held in June of that year and shortly afterwards I was leaving for Scotland with my husband. So I quit my job to spend more time with my family and help plan the wedding. For years I have been away from home for study or work reasons. So, Marshal was really excited to have me home. We spent months perfecting the wedding arrangements. It was a real joy to have the time to plan every little detail myself. By February most of the preparations were finished. All that was left to do was relax and enjoy the comforts of home. One lazy afternoon, my mother and I were looking at “Dog W… in the center of the card… in the bowl.” It was time for me to interfere, so I took Prince and dried him with a towel. Soon my conscience began to torment me. In my plan to try to get a new dog I hadn't considered the possibility that Marshal might not accept him. I tried to make him feel better by giving both of us chewy treats with bones. At that moment a miracle happened. The marshal took his bone and sat down next to Prince. I couldn't believe my eyes! The prince reciprocated by donating his bone to the marshal. It was touching to witness this bonding moment between two creatures communicating in a strange non-verbal language. As Mother had predicted, the Marshal trained Prince in a short time. Time flew by so quickly while I was raising the puppy that I didn't realize my wedding was approaching. The dogs grew very close and cared for each other. Today they are inseparable like a shadow and a body.