The Misadventures of Pal & Samantha As Pal, the Dog, Tells It by Lee A. Drayer Introduction December 2010 This year we are suffering one of the coldest winters ever in this part of Florida. Because of the cold, nearly everyone is remaining indoors. The exceptions are the thousands of world tourist visiting the Orlando area. I am a dog that needs to walk outside every day, regardless of the weather to get my much-needed exercise. My name is Pal. Unfortunately, my owner, Al Lee, is not doing his part to help me. He is content to sit in his comfortable recliner, watching the television that is constantly blaring about how cold it is here in Florida. If I complain to him about my needs, he tells me to find a comfortable warm place to lie down and be quiet. Just in case you did not catch the meaning of the last sentence, I will explain it to you. Shortly after I was born in 2003, Al, my earthly Dad and I, through a mystery neither of us understands, began having actual conversations. Sounds crazy, but it is not. At this time I am Dad's best and possibly, only friend. My reason to explain this now is that I decided to get good old Dad to do something with his life. After considerable coaxing, I convinced Dad to use his computer for things other than keep track of his money bills and get his brief, two day per week work schedule. Sitting comfortably on Dad's lap, we begin the computer conversation: "Okay Pal, you have my attention now. What do you think I should do with my computer?" "Lately Dad, you are reading books all the time when you are not watching the dumb TV." "You are a very observant little fellow, but what does that have to with my computer?" "I was thinking you could write a story about me. It would be fiction of course. Over the past few years you and I have been through many good and some really scary stuff." "Pal, I am not a person that could author a storybook. How could I write a story about you? My guess is that you want me to talk about the cat friend you met last year. What was her name? Is it Samantha, the big orange cat, the love of your life?" "Well yes, sort of, but I'll tell you what I will do Dad. You sit at the computer and I will give you ideas about my entire life as I have experienced it. Then, after you have the outline on paper completed, you write the story. It would be fun to hear how you explain me to your family and to the few friends you have." "That would be interesting Pal. Come, sit here on your chair, close to me by the computer, and I will write down your description of the Misadventures of Pal and Samantha." "That sounds like it could be the title of the book, Dad. I like it already." "Okay Pal, you may begin to dictate to me how you think the story should begin." "Good Dad, this is how I would start the story; I think you are going to love it: " "Once upon a time, in the land of Deland, Florida, there lived a very lonely woman, Mary Douglas, with her daughter Ginger." "Wait just a minute Pal. You can't begin the book like that. It's not a fairytale book; it's your true story." "Let me think for just a minute. ... Okay, I'm ready now. How's this Dad, for the beginning?" "In the small Florida town of Deland, once upon a time, there lived a very lonely lady, Mary Douglas, with her daughter Ginger." "No, no, no Stop with the once upon a time thing, Pal " "Okay Dad, but I like the once upon a time thing. If you insist though, how's this? ... In the small Florida town of Deland, there lives a very lonely lady, Mary Douglas. She has a teenage daughter whose name is Ginger." "That's much better. Now you may continue with your story."