Teamster Dog

It didn't take long for Teamster Daughters to notice that the first dog in their growing T-family was an 85 pound German Shepherd named Frosty. Known for their unyielding 'guard dog' abilities, Teamster Dog's name was actually quite tame compared to his disposition and size. I can't remember if T-Daddy let us name the dog or if he was strategically identified as a snowman in order to thwart unwanted visitors who might decide to make a house call or file a grievance.

Nevertheless, Frosty was the best Teamster Dog money could buy. He was also a little Teamster girl's best friend. Trained to attack, he did due diligence in the deputy department. Frosty had a reputation of loving the ladies, but couldn't tolerate too much maleness other than his own and T-Daddy's. Our yard was known as a place men feared to tread as well as little boys when they came over to play with Daddy's little Teamster girls.

One neighbor boy thought he'd try his luck and sneak in the back gate when Frosty was busy keeping guard out front (looking for unmarked cars carrying management I presume.) But Frosty had ears like Rin Tin Tin and came barrelling back to catch the intruder who had already started climbing over the redwood fence to escape. The neighbor made off with everything but his tennis shoes.

Other small creatures were not so lucky and never lived to tell their Frosty tales. There once was a chihauhau who lost its head over Frosty, but I will spare you the macabre details of that literal not figurative story. Suffice it to say, Frosty lived up to his "Beware of the Dog" sign hanging in full view on the gate. (Years later when Frosty died, rumor has it that the sign was replaced with a new one: "Forget the Dog, Beware of the Teamster.") I shudder at the vernacular but if the shoe fits...

When we got older, we figured out why Frosty was really there. You never knew when you'd need him to sniff out a bomb threat that was phoned into your surburban home and you answered the call. Or when he'd be needed at a picket line, in case someone decided to cross. For general body guard purposes in any situation, Frosty could do the job and make a Teamster proud.

But no matter what his rough exterior projected, Frosty was a teddy bear with us. He'd let us ride on his back like he was a pony as long as we wanted or tug on his hair or give him a bath. To us, he was just a big ole baby who happened to have a lot of T-dog responsibilities.

In true Teamster form, Frosty was a bit of a lady's man with the female dogs in the neighborhood. From dachshunds to All-Americans, they'd all come around for visits in the afternoon. That was until Frosty met his match and T-daddy brought home a companion for the elder Teamster Dog. She was a young female German Shepherd named Honey and their's was a long and happy relationship. Five litters and approximately 40 pups later, Honey got drunk on Jack Daniels (T-daddy left a bottle out and Honey found it and drank it) and she officially howled herself into good standing and became T-dog of the familiy when Frosty went to T-dog heaven.

Yes, it's true. Dogs really are 'Man's Best Friend'. But Frosty...he was a Teamster's too.

(Blog to come: Teamster, The German Shepherd) (Yes, there really was one.)