Not Bred For Camping

Today was actually cold. The drizzly dark day made for the perfect opportunity to have a fire in the living room. Based on the dried magnolia in the fireplace, placed there after undecorating the mantel from Christmas two years ago, it had been too long since we had a fire. Magnolia is normally not good for a fire, but this petrified mound made the perfect tinder to start the also dry logs.
My favorite time with a fire is that big burst of flames when all the small dry stuff combusts. Ours did not disappoint today. Russ and I sat like two old people in our chairs reading by the fire. But one member of the family was decidedly unhappy about the popping and hissing coming from the black hole in the living room, Shay Shay.  
She left the room as soon as the fire started and stood cautiously in the entry peering around the corner. Normally Shay would be snuggled on Russ’ lap or nuzzled next to me on the sofa, one leg thrown in the air, conveying the message “rub my belly.”
Even with the promise to scratch behind her ears and hold her protectively from the fire she did not want to come in. In protest she went to her bed in the kitchen and made small crying sounds. Who knew she was so afraid of fire.
We decided she is not a dog that is cut out for camping. She loves deer and when she sees them in our yard she makes not a peep, but does try to get close enough to play with them. She has never caught or killed anything. She does not like to go out in the rain. All the dog has been bred out of her.  
Instead she is loving. Her best skill is snuggling. I guess that given the frequency of fires here it is OK that Shay does not like them. I would rather have a warm dog to curl up with than a fire anyway.