You can read Frieda’s story in my last book, “The Second Chance Dog.” When I first met Frieda I nicknamed her “The Dog Who Kept Men Away,” and she immediately set out to eat me and drive me off. She devoted every waking minute to watching and guarding Maria. And nobody bothered Maria, when I came to the door, Frieda was on the other side, and the ground shook when I knocked.

Ultimately, she was no match for love, and eventually – she does not give it away – succumbed to it. Both of them, to my eternal good fortune. Frieda and Maria reminded me of Thelma & Louise, two deeply suspicious and stand-offish man haters together and alone against the world. They adored one another, and took care of each other. They still do.

When I saw them, I knew two things: I would never get Maria without Frieda – she would never leave her and I would never ask her to – and Frieda would be a long, tough haul. So she was. So was Maria. Two very stubborn and independent creatures.

I launched a spectacular two year offensive – cheese, chocolate and wine for Maria, beef jerky for Frieda. Love had something to do with it, but they both love food, I kept a steady supply coming. Now these two wonderful women are a part of my life, and both of them love and protect me. I have never felt safer. I think of Frieda running wild in the Adirondacks for years, living on chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels, surviving bitter cold, blizzards, packs of coyotes, bears and bobcats. She is a tough and determined dog. Maria saved her after a year languishing in a shelter, her time was nearly up. Frieda returned the favor, many times.

But like all of the women in my life now, she has a great heart, and she no longer keeps men away or tries to eat them, at least not men she knows…well, at least, not me.