Braveheart

See this good-looking charmer? I picked him out from Paulbeck's Supervalue in 4th grade as a treat for doing well on my report card.

He's been well kept.
He's rosy cheeked.
He's cute.
He's clean.
He's Santa.
He's animatronic.

Apparently he's also a "threat."

While I unpacked Xmas decor in late November, Charlie kept me company.
He was less than impressed with the animatronic Santa, and I would go so far as to say that he was, ahem, AFRAID!

This fear of Santa from the dog that lived on the streets as a stray.
This fear of Santa from the dog that has lost teeth in either,
a.) a terrible battle with a deadly enemy or
b.) chewing on tin cans and other trash for nourishment (this actually being the Vet's best guess about the missing teeth...)

This tough and hearty dog got ready to make a run at Santa.
His hackles went up.
He got up "close" to Santa, looked right in his beady little eyes, and he GROWLED.

And then he walked quickly away.

And came to stand by me in a protective posture.

Oh, wait--I was standing in the protective posture and he was just AFRAID!

Charlie=Dork.