Figure 1.-- Rufus in sharp contrast to Bum was a canine powerhouse. He was friendly to friends, and as we lived in HIS house we were O.K., but wobetide unwelcome guests. He was only 2 years old when this photo was taken. Notice the leash and the grip Graham has on it. Rufus took some effort to handle, but actually had a gentle side as well. The photograph was taken during Sepotember 1940 at the same time as the snap shot of Bum and I. Graham got long pants and a hoodie as well.

Graham and I had always wanted a dog and when we arrived at our new home we found that we hit pay dirt. Of courdse we didn't know what pay dirt was, but we were soon rapidly acquiring American English. The family had two dogs which were as radically different as two dogs can be. Bum was a sedate, sweet little cocker spaniel. Rugfgus was a whole different kettle of fish. He was only about 2 years old and wanted to hsave fun. Before we arrived the family didn't offer much oportunity for Rufus. We quickly hanged that. Both dogs quickly accepted us and we delighted in playing with them. I think they helped in our rapid adjustment as they took our mibds off what had happened before we made new friends.

Our New Dogs

Graham and I had always wanted a dog and when we arrived at our new home we found that we hit pay dirt. Of courdse we didn't know what pay dirt was, but we were soon rapidly acquiring American English. Both dogs quickly accepted us and we delighted in playing with them. I think they helped in our rapid adjustment as they took our mibds off what had happened before we made new friends. We were a little disappointed when cowboys and Indians didn't materialize--but we couldn't have been more pleased with Bum and Rufus. And every day after school, there would be there waiting for us to get home. I am sure that they played a major role in our fitting in so quickly and with so few tears.

Two Characters

Graham and I were pleased to find our host family had not only a dog, but two dogs--Bum and Rufus. The dogs were as radically different as two dogs can be. Bum was a sedate, sweet little cocker spaniel. Rufus was a whole different kettle of fish. He was a boxer and only about 2 years old. He wanted to have some serious fun. Before we arrived the family didn't offer much oportunity for Rufus. We quickly changed that. Here Rufus got what he wanbted and we got what we had wanted for some time--in spades. Both dogs lived indoors. Despite being so different, Rufus and Bum got on fine. And they accepted us almost immediately.

Playing with Our New Friends

We played with the dogs a lot. They were great fun. There was the 'dog yard', an old tennis court alongside the house. It was gravel surfaced and the dogs could go wild. We used to throw balls for them. They both enjoyed thst, although rufus didn't quite have the hang of it, at least from our point of view. He did always want to let go of the balls once he had one. I supose from his point of it, thst was part of the fun. This might lead to a little tug of war and wrestling. Bum wasn't into rough housing, but Rufus certainly was. Rufus never bit or even nipped us, but he certainly wasn't gentle. He just liked having fun and that was just what we wanted. It was great. So we always had a willing playmate available when ever we wanted and for that msatter, so did Rufus.

Two Front Teeth for Christmas

Rufus manged to break my two front teeth--quite by accident of course. While Rufus never bit, he was a ball of fire and never fully aware of consequences. When he got up a head of steam--we learned to get out of his way. I was kneeling in a rocker on the terrace. Rufus all of a sudden decided to join me and jumped into it. tipping it over. I fell face first onto the bricks. So all I wanted that Christmas was my two front teeth! It was a bit embarrassing for my foster folks; our Dad being a dental surgeon. I was fixed up by a great dental surgeon in Boston -- Dr. Maurice E. Peters. It was a very swanky practice in a skyscraper -- well at least 10 floors. My dad being a detal surgeon and all, I noticed such things. Sitting in the chair I could see the Charles River and the MIT building. I had to have quite a few visits there while he fiddle about with the nerve in one tooth, but it had to go in the end.