The Buechlers: Schnapps the Schnauzer

Schnapps the Schnauzer is an old friend of mine--he's pretty much legendary in my family. When I was about 8, we were staying at a hotel in Iowa City, as I recall. We walked by the gift store just outside the hotel and there in the window was the cutest, most adorable stuffed schnauzer you ever saw. This meant a lot, as we had a very special real life schnauzer named Sebastian. The only thing was, the store was closed. And I wanted that schnauzer BAD. It's not like I was unsophisticated enough to throw a fit...instead, my problem solving skills came into play. I cleverly suggested that we break in, take Schnapps, and leave the money and a note explaining that the store was closed but that we really wanted that schnauzer! Logical? Only to an eight year old who wants nothing more than to cuddle with a stuffed dog.

OBVIOUSLY, Jim and Cindee Good were not down with this plan. But OBVIOUSLY, Schnapps is currently in my possession. What happened? I'm a little foggy on the exact details, but being that this was before the internet, I gather that my parents called the store once we were home, bought the dog by credit card and had him shipped. Funny enough, I can't remember if he was a birthday gift, Christmas gift, or what. But let it never be said that my parents didn't do everything in their power to make me happy. (I swear I wasn't a spoiled brat, but this story doesn't do much to prove otherwise, does it?)