"Christ, you sure that's a dog up there and not a lion?" Jack said acidly.

"Well, like I told you, he's big," Harry answered, and then led the way upstairs. The barking grew more and more excited as the two men neared the apartment, and, for a moment, Jack became a little nervous as his friend fumbled with the lock. Maybe the damn monster wouldn't like him and would tear off a leg. But his fears were groundless. As soon as the door opened, a huge, beautifully marked German shepherd came bounding out and began licking Harry's hands ecstatically, joyously wagging his massive tail and uttering little pleasure-filled whines.

"Okay, old buddy, I know how hard it is on you to be locked up here all day," Harry said, a trifle too loudly, as if the words were really meant for Jack. Just then, the dog saw Jack and froze for a second, not hostilely, but as if he had just seen some new sight that totally captivated his interest. And then, with a graceful proud stride, the big animal pranced over to Jack and began inquisitively sniffing his clothes until satisfied and reached up and licked the newcomer's hand and then thrust his huge head up underneath it, forcing Jack's hand up.

"Wants you to pet him," Harry said, which was a relief to the younger man, who didn't know whether or not it might have signified the big animal was about to take a chunk out of him. Gingerly he reached down and scratched the dog behind the ears, and immediately the big German shepherd sat back on his haunches, a half-foolish look of pleasure coming over his face that made Jack laugh automatically.

"Okay, okay, I believe you," he said to Harry, "he's friendly."

"Yeh, he's friendly all right," Harry answered, that strange bitter tone once again creeping into his voice. But his younger friend didn't notice, becoming captivated by the big animal, who was giving little sighs of pleasure, eyes half closed, as Jack continued to stroke his ears. "C'mon, let's go on in," Harry grunted. "Time for a little home brew."