This is the first Christmas in the last six that I haven't gotten myself a nice gift to ease the pain of spending another Christmas away from loved ones back in Texas. I got gifts for the family and the pets, but something kept telling me to keep a tight wallet, and to make myself a gift out of wood, instead. I heeded the message, and now I'm glad I did. This is a story about a family that has been in agony since mid September, after they took a bad check (Account Closed) for a bulldog pup named Jaxon. About the middle of October, there was a break in the case, and I posted the following mail to the bulldog e-mail communities. Hopes were high, but they were soon to be shattered.

    Hi everyone. Cheryl Eytcheson was given a check for a bulldog pup, and the check bounced because the account was closed. After weeks of her own P. I. work, she set a trap for the woman who did this to her. You can see an image of the woman (Jo Ann Nelander) who was arrested at: http://www.wftv.com/news/2562826/detail.html  And you can read this intriguing story and see an image of Cheryl at: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031019/NEWS/310190311/1060 I am so excited for Cheryl and her family!

Dan, Baby and Delilah the Cat!

    Even though Cheryl knew to whom Jaxon was sold, she couldn't get him back. The present owners claimed they didn't know the dog was stolen, and it couldn't be proved that they did know, even though they had a business of buying and selling pups, and had purchased other pups from Jo Ann Nelander. The law was on their side, and they wanted $1800 for the pup, and wouldn't budge. They wanted to sell the pup, but the Seminole County Sheriff's officers told them that it they did, they would be knowingly selling stolen property, and they'd bust them for that. So, they were stuck with a bulldog pup, and  the only thing we could do was to run a bluff.

    Then there were two catalysts that then entered into the framework of events in early December: Melinda (Mummy) Harris who lives in B.C. Canada and sent $100 to me to help Cheryl with legal fees to see an attorney, and Nancy Wilks, a bulldogger who knew the new owners in Orlando. Cheryl went to see an attorney, but found that the law was on the new owners' side. But Nancy called and ran a bluff by telling the new owners that Cheryl would not give up until she got her pup back.

    I don't even recall why or when Cheryl first contacted me, but we've had dozens of phone conversations, and I feel like I know her as a kid sister. I haven't kept a diary, but we got a break, yesterday, and I'd like to recall the events to you. Now please keep in mind that Cheryl's family has very little money.

Dec. 23, 11:00 A.M. Call from Nancy Wilks--the new owners will sell Jaxon for $350 Nancy can come up with $100. I will come up with $250.

Dec. 23, 11:55 P.M.-- New owners haven't answered the phone all day. Something's gone wrong. Losing hope, keep praying. Everyone on needles and pins.

Dec. 24, 9:00 A.M.-- Nancy calls. The price has gone up to $400! What cruelty--even kidnappers set a ransom and stick by it! Nancy and I will both split the difference--$25 each. Nancy running out of time--Christmas commitments across state. Praying for closure before Christmas. Praying to the point that He's probably getting tired of it. But keep bugging Him, anyway. LOL

Dec. 24, 1:00 P.M.--Looks like a deal has been stuck! Hold your breath and keep praying.

Dec. 24, 4:30 P.M. We have dog in tow! Nancy Wilks has Jaxon in her possession!! Cheryl's family is en route to Orlando to get their pup! Thank God !!!!

Dec. 24, 7:00 P.M. Cheryl and family en route home with their prized possession! We will all sleep well, tonight!--and say a prayer of thanks.

    This has been frustration for months, and the last two days have been agonizing for three families, but it's now over with, and this is the merriest Christmas of my life! Cheryl says she'll pay Nancy and me back, but to be honest, if she doesn't, then that's just fine. This was one gift we got her family that really and truly brought the meaning of Christmas home to Nancy and me. Nancy and I talked this evening, and it's the best Christmas she's ever known, too!

    BTW, Cheryl will never part with Jaxon, again--he is not for sale at any price. Also, I want to extend my thanks to Deputy Bill Scott and Inspector Randy Spitler of the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, as well as their boss, Sheriff Donald Eslinger for allowing these men to work so diligently on this case. God bless all you guys! And Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Dan, Baby and Delilah

* Daisy passed away recently, and her human mom, Melinda Harris, donated money out of Daisy's piggy bank. Every time Daisy fetched the newspaper, the family put money in her bank for toenail polish, ribbons, and other girly things appropriate for a little bully lady. Melinda (Mummy), a citizen of Canada, donated $100 to Cheryl's cause, as well as an additional $50 to the BCA rescue fund. God bless Canada!