Merle -

All the history and habits and analyzing aside - sounds like "love at first sight" for both dog and man to me - I, too, like many of you am a dog lover - in my case a Westie - 10 years old now - a birthday present requested by me from my family after my dtr. got herself one - Toby is his name and he is the sweetest, most wonderful, dog there is - and the love of my life - my grown children say they know who comes first now -

I did not grow up with a pet tho' my children always had a pet - cat or dog - outside, of course - but this was my first personal experience with a pet or rather my baby boy - and he lives inside as well as plays outside in our large fenced back yard - he has his own habits too which he established for himself but he is consistent - I was 60 years old before I discovered the great joy and comfort of pet companionship and how great it is -

Before you all send me hate mail I will quote a saying my mother used to say "every crow thinks his baby is the blackest" - never heard that from anyone else - don't know the origin of the saying - but it is true, isn't it? - lol - Doris -