I love my dog. She’s an American Bulldog. The breed is known for its loyalty, reliability, bravery and determination. While American Bulldogs are not known to be hostile, they are known for their acts of heroism toward their masters. In the case of Baby, that would be me. 
My dog protects me all the time. Just the other day, I got home to find a wholly loving mess in the house. Apparently, she felt the need to protect me from a rogue toilet paper roll. It was sad what she did to it. It didn’t stand a chance. As one would expect, an 85-pound dog can really do some damage, even to a double-sized roll of toilet paper.
To be completely honest, I don’t know what the roll of toilet paper did to deserve destruction and it wasn’t talking. Maybe it moved or maybe it looked at her funny. Whatever it was, she didn’t like it and the roll was destroyed. There were some unforeseen consequences. For the first time ever, I actually ran out of toilet paper and had to run up to the store and buy a pack. If that has ever happened to you, you can understand my displeasure. That situation was a direct result of her destroying a double roll, which would have gotten me through until Sunday when I do my shopping.
TP isn’t the first instance of her protecting the house from items for unknown reasons. I came home once and found my shampoo and conditioner chewed through and spilling out onto the floor. I remember looking at her and saying, “I bet that tasted good.” It was obvious she stopped as soon as the taste hit her tongue, but not before the holes were big enough to create quite a mess on the carpet.
In both instances, she was really thirsty when I got home. Working up an appetite protecting the house, I assume. It’s the price that must be paid.
In between the shampoo/ condition and toilet paper roll incidents, she has torn two dog beds to pieces. At approximately $20 each, I would rather her chase a roll of toilet paper or destroy a $4 bottle of shampoo. Her new bed cost me about $25. I wished the new bed well (kissed it goodbye) and gave it to her.
After the toilet paper roll, I couldn’t help but wonder why I put up with her in the house. I do it because no one in their right mind would come into my house with her in there. Pull into my driveway or step a foot on the porch and she is going to let you know she isn’t happy.
She has, that I know of, scared off one person. My friend told me I should give her another roll of TP just for that. Instead, she got a dog treat. I don’t want to risk running out again.
Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.