The Shamus Chronicles: Shamus' Love Life

by Betty Poole

Shamus has three girl friends. He is not overwhelmed or especially impressed by this fact. He handles the situation with coolness and sophistication, which, I suppose, is the cause of the great vivacity and eagerness to please on the part of the three girls. There is no necessity to choose a favorite and to run the risk of causing disappointment or heartbreak, because Shamus never visits more than one at a time, thus keeping his affairs of the heart to himself.

I think he admires them all equally and appreciates the particular qualities in each. For instance, Veronica's Penny is his oldest friend, in fact, they used to live together at Gayle's house. When they moved to Salt Spring Penny was adopted by Veronica.

Penny is a very excitable, highly strung party girl. She is small and cute and a born flirt. I don't think she would hesitate to go "all the way" if Shamus were to give her any encouragement. He is tempted sometimes, but his gentlemanly instincts, not to mention his physical deprivations, always take precedence.

Gayle's Scooter is another live-wire. Scooter has also lived under the same roof with Shamus - for a whole year, in fact - while the family was building their new home here on Salt Spring. Scooter has a warm heart, and unfailingly greets Shamus at her gate with great vocal enthusiasm. She always has a ball handy, and talks Shamus into an endless game if she can entice some human into throwing it. She is definitely the sporty type and inclined to be one track minded about that ball.

The third and latest girl friend lives next door. Bess is a real "babe", slim and sleek and beautiful. She is a border collie and really should have a herd of sheep to keep her occupied. As things are, Shamus is the next best thing. Bess never takes her eyes off Shamus' place. When we get up in the morning and look out the window, there is Bess, her face up against the fence - anxiously watching for any sigh of activity at our house. Our hearts go out to Bess, so we usually get out with the ball before breakfast. Bess leaps to attention and starts her marathon at full speed back and forth along her side of the page-wire fence. She has literally worn a trench in the ground on her side, and I don't think anything will ever grow there again. Shamus retrieves the thrown ball in a relaxed, middle aged fashion, while Bess racks up miles flashing back and forth like a dervish, her eyes never leaving suave and handsome Shamus.

It must be a nice secure feeling to be so popular and to receive all that attention without having to put out any effort. I hope the situation will never go to Shamus' head and cause him to realize that he is irresistible to women.