The Facts of Life

You take the good with the bad. With all things in life. And so with Bela.

Her delightfulness is apparent.
People are constantly commenting on what a happy dog she seems to be. She loves all adults. She seeks out all children, with whom her gentleness is great. She is good at home and joyous outdoors. She listens to us, behaves and showcases her easy demeanor in all she does.

That said - there is a backhand.

You see, while Bela is a dearheart -- if she feels the need arises for her to flip the switch, she flips it...quite a bit.

I've seen dogs growl at her without reason, come up and steal a ball, lunge at her while she's walking by...she takes it all in stride.

But as of late, it appears that if her nose gives way to real threat, or she senses you are foe instead of friend, the bitch will bite.

My co-worker mentioned that Bela sounds a little like...well...me. Generally and genuinely, quite kind. But generally and genuinely, ready to strike. You give me the idea that you are not here for honorable purposes and I will charge. I will bear my teeth, not at all for the sole purpose of bearing them.

Sadly, I am now a little paranoid. When I see a possible standoff, I step her away from the foreign dog, whereas I used to just raise an eyebrow.

This withstanding, I can't help but also feel a bit proud. I've got a little girl who refuses to be taken as one. A real fighter. She bears the same name as not one, but four Hungarian kings. She wears it well.