Girls have a way of getting noticed, and "Miss Katrina" knows how. Three years ago this August an impish, loving, then 10-month old, Shih Tzu became my roommate -- and as dog owners know happens --changed my life.
In a column that month I described her as a puffball of love and fun just waiting to happen. She still is.
When a pet dies, the pain is devastating with unbelievable lingering grief. I resolved to never have another hurt like that after Miss Daisy died, yet unexpectedly found 10-month-old Miss Katrina seven months later.
Owned by a breeder, she gave birth to three puppies when barely eight months old and the pups were for sale too. I'm convinced fate made this adoption a "done deal" for both of us because I no more than sat down and Katrina jumped into my lap.
With her head on my shoulder, she looked at me with the most spectacular golden/green eyes. To seal the deal when I was leaving the owner called Katrina, yet she came running straight to me looking like a Norm Rockwell painting waiting to happen, with hair flying and prancing like a thoroughbred horse headed for the winner's circle.
A dog makes a huge lifestyle difference for folks with both pluses and minus. Given ladies are preordained to change their mind, I did.
Without a dog I was free to do things not possible before such as spend more time with longtime friend, Jess, attend community/family events without bothersome thoughts of having to hurry home and eating in a restaurant rather than usual take-out food.
It's a simpler life without a dog, yet I remembered the considerable comfort pets bring.
On the minus side was, at my age, I could likely die before the dog does, so who would take care of it?
There's no spontaneous shopping such as leaving pets in locked cars that can turn into a hot furnace in minutes. And pets are stolen from parked cars.
Pet food, regular maintenance and veterinarian services are costly.
Yet, all that practical pet-reasoning flew flat-out the window like a gust of whistling wind when Miss Katrina stormed into my life bringing her soft velvet touch of friendship and feisty, fun personality.
United States Presidents had dogs in the White House as early as 1789.
President Obama's family dog, "Bo" is a Portuguese Waterdog.
According to the Web site www.dog-names.org George Washington owned 10 hounds including Mopsey, Taster, Sweet-lips and Lady Rover.
Abraham Lincoln owned Fido and Jip, Ulysses Grant's Faithful was a New Foundland and Rutherford Hayes owned a Mastiff.
Theodore Roosevelt's Pit Bull Terrier, Pete, got into trouble by ripping the French ambassador's pants off during a White House function.
And a distant cousin of mine, Woodrow Wilson said, "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."
Harry Truman had a mongrel named Feller and Irish Setter, Mike. Attributed to Truman were these quotes; "If you want a friend in Washington (D.C.) get a dog." "Children and dogs are as necessary to the welfare of the country as Wall Street and railroads."
John Kennedy's Welsh Terrier, German Shepherd, Irish Cocker and Irish Wolfhound were named respectively, Charlie, Clipper, Shannon and Wolf.
Pets in my youth ran free and ate table scraps. Now we spend big bucks for commercial dog food and feel guilty sneaking a piece of steak to begging eyes peeking from under the table.
Watching Miss Katrina play, greet people with enthusiasm and sharing quiet times convince me the right decision was made three years ago. She makes my life healthier with walking, happier with antics, and a joy for the inspirational specialness our pets are.
She is healthy and happy. I can't imagine life without her.
Dogs deserve loving care and attention whether it's by presidents or we regular folks.
M. Ackman wrote, "We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. In return dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made."