Book excerpt: Never having the influence of a male, five-year old Billy has been afraid of men and big dogs all his life. Enter his Kindergarten teacher at the Concrete Elementary School. Gunnar Smyth loves kids and can’t figure out why Billy singled him out to hate. Billy’s mother, Francine Dodd, hasn’t had time for men since her husband died. She meets the handsome teacher for a conference on her son’s behavioral problem and her heart pounds. Gunnar moves in next door to them with his Saint Bernard dog. Now the fights escalate between Billy, his cats and the dog. Trouble follows the kid and dog until both nearly lose their lives up on Baker Lake. It’s a lesson in growing up and learning to love for all of them.