"Not quite raw," Florida says. "I season it a bit, work in the supplements he needs. You don't have to cook a lot. I mean, you can cook just a little bit, but too much isn't good for them. But I also don't want him, as a guard dog, getting used to what people can give him normally."

That would make him a touch easier to bribe. "I'm working on a good mix that is sorta like canned food but better for him. I haven't perfected it yet. But he also likes his biscuits. Some mornings I just give him a handful of those instead."

Rex chomps the treat in question, and when he's done he looks up at Florida.

"Get you, go play," Florida smiles. The dog bounces to his feet and grabs his ball, dropping it in Florida's lap.

"Wanna give it a throw?" Florida asks Simga.