We'll close today's entries with an old, familiar sight -- Alfie (now referred to by the Millers as "the sainted Alfie") with Uncle Bill on a vacation out West and guarding the patio as folks headed home after a family reunion. The lights were always on and the welcome mat was always out at the Miller home in Old Frontenac. In keeping with that welcome policy, Alfie's idea of guarding was not very lethal. For instance, he offered visiting skunks and porcupines warm, friendly, personal greetings. Many a day you could visit the Miller home and find Uncle Bill, who loved Alfie like a hairy son, pulling quills out of Alfie with pliers or giving Alfie a bath in tomato juice. Alfie, a German shepherd-Alaskan husky mix, arrived as a flea-bitten little puppy, a gift of Uncle Ed, in 1969. Aunt Alverna referred to Alfie as "Alphie" or "Alphy" or "that animal." Alfie, who died of cancer at the age of 13, is buried under flowers in the yard of the Miller's old home. The current owners, Peter and Jeananne Beyl, know not to step on him.
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