PRACTICE EXAM - ANIMALS AND YOU

When we first started our lives together, my husband and I had very few
responsibilities. We had our first home (a trailer), inexpensive vehicles
with no payments and ourselves to take care of. After a couple of years
of marriage I decided to surprise my husband with a puppy. She was this
tiny little cute German Shepard. My husband took one look and fell in love.
She looked just like a little bear cub. So my husband insisted we call her
Bear...yes a female Bear! Who would of thought that an animal could
change our lives as she did. She stole our heart right from the start.

A month after bringing home our little one, I found out I was pregnant.
I don't know if she sensed my pregnancy or just worried about me
because I was sick a lot, but she was always there for me when I needed
a friend to lift my spirits. When I laid on the couch she was on the floor
beside me. When I walked anywhere, she was always one step behind.
She was my true companion.

She affected my husband the same way. She loved to ride with him in
his truck. She'd sit so proud in the seat next to him. When he sat in
his chair at home to watch TV, she became a 100 lb lap dog. Our first
Christmas with her was unbelievable. My husband went overboard
with gifts for her. Her favorite one being a 4 foot bone. What a site
to see her try to get the bone down the hallway. He'd video tape
her while busting a gut as she tried to maneuver a bone too large to
fit between the walls. She seemed proud to make him laugh.

Shortly after Christmas our first child was born. We were concerned
how having a newborn in the house might change her personality. She
was extremely spoiled and now would have to share our attention.
From the first day home with our son, she was amazing. She loved
him from the start. At night time she would lay in front of his crib
and not leave his side. She continued this every night for years. She
became his best friend and protector. She gave him the same love
she gave to us and never asked for much in return.

She's gone now. She passed on around 5 years ago. She's buried in
our field and has a memorial in place. I plant flowers all around it
each Spring and visit her often. We still miss her deeply. She
touched our lives in such a loving way. Her unconditional love
taught us how wonderfully amazing dogs are. We have another
Shepard now, along with two Shelties. They're just as spoiled.
But we still look at Bear's photo album every now and then,
reflecting on the great memories she gave us. She'll always
be in our hearts.