By GUY KEELER, Fresno Bee

FRESNO, Calif. -- You could spend a lifetime looking for an animal companion as friendly as a dog, smart as a fox and strong as a horse. Or you could get yourself a camel.

That's what Jennifer and Geoff Dean did three years ago -- and folks have been raising their eyebrows ever since.

MARIPOSA, Calif. -- In 1849, prospectors from around the world swarmed nearby streams and mountains in search of wealth. They carried off all the gold they could find but left a lasting imprint on this quiet community.