I'd like to introduce Sophie

**Freelancer** · 11th April 11, 04:06 PM

What a doll! Miss my dog, but too soon to think about another. By the way, nice kilt.

**Dave G** · 11th April 11, 05:33 PM

Thanks for all of the comments and compliments everyone. As I type this, Sophie is lying by my feet and just let out a big sigh - probably a result of a full belly and a comfy position. Pets sure are a blessing for us all and while I understand that they're not for everyone due to many of life's circumstances, I enjoy sharing ours with you. I'm sure Sophie would enjoy meeting you all as much as Mary Ann and I would. She's a real "lovey" type of lass.

Oh, and for the cat lover's out there - here's Sophie's favorite playmate and cohort. He's a Maine Coon Cat named Sammy that I found nearly 9 years ago in the woods behind our house. He was a skin and bone 8-week old kitten (by the Vet's estimation) that we nurtured into a 22 pound "in-the-house-only" house cat. He's almost as much fun as Sophie, and Mary Ann has him spoiled beyond belief.

Here's his "Garfield impression"...

And here is Sammy and Sophie guarding their castle. Notice how Sammy takes the lead since he's a firm believer in "chivalry comes first."

**KFCarter** · 11th April 11, 05:34 PM

What a sweet, bright-eyed little lady!

**Ancienne Alliance** · 12th April 11, 01:08 AM

She is a darling !

Thank you for posting these.

Best,

Robert

**Father Bill** · 15th April 11, 03:21 PM

Dave - She's a wee bonnie pup, and congratulations! Now, pardon my utter ignorance but what is the proper breed name for a "Westie?"

She's beautiful!

**longhuntr74** · 15th April 11, 03:40 PM

Growing up, my family always had "real" dogs...full sized lab mixes, etc. My wife and I continued that trend for our first few years of marriage..but all the moving, small yards, and other circumstances caused us to have to part with all of our large dogs. We've also had a string of cats...that have had unfortunate run-ins with automobiles.

Well now we have a cat that we've managed to keep in the house that is rather quirky...a lynx point siamese. In addition to the cat, the large dogs have been replaced with a ShiTzu (that my wife bought) and a Yoodle (a Yorkie/Poodle mix that we inherited from my wife's sister). The Yoodle is 100% my son's dog. The ShiTzu, Cinda, was supposed to have been my wife's dog (much like yours), but somehow has really attached herself to me. She's really the sweetest, most human-like dog I've ever owned. I love her to death...but I still can't help but feel a bit unmanly walking a little toy.

I don't guess you ever have that problem yourself though...or if anybody thought it, they wouldn't dare say it. Good God, man, are you a bricklayer or what? Your chest and arms are huge!!!!

**The Vicar** · 15th April 11, 04:14 PM

Looks like that little cutie could be in all kinds of commercials and ads!

Robert "V"

**Deil the Yin** · 15th April 11, 04:27 PM

Looks like a keeper!

Sweet kilt hose, too.

Cheers,
Wesley

**Dave G** · 16th April 11, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Dave - She's a wee bonnie pup, and congratulations! Now, pardon my utter ignorance but what is the proper breed name for a "Westie?"

She's beautiful!

Bill, The proper name of the breed is West Highland White Terrier. The breed is said to have originated by Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm, of Poltalloch, Argyllshire, Scotland who favored white dogs for hunting. Westies were once called the Poltalloch Terrier and later, the Roseneath Terrier, named after the Duke of Argyll’s estate. Sophie doesn't care what you call her, as long as you don't call her late for a meal.

**Dave G** · 16th April 11, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

She's really the sweetest, most human-like dog I've ever owned. I love her to death...but I still can't help but feel a bit unmanly walking a little toy.

Longhuntr74, Like yourself, I too started out by owning large breeds - a Doberman and a Rottweiler, and while I really enjoyed them and just love the breeds, I found that as I got older, I enjoyed the company of smaller dogs more. My wife's little male Cairn taught me that there's often a very big dog wrapped up inside those little packages. And Sophie's reinforced that impression for me.

And as far as my physical appearance, no it's not a result of such noble work as a bricklayer or other physical labor - I sit on my butt all day either behind a computer or behind a stack of drawings and papers. But as a stress reliever, I spend 2 hours a day, 4 days a week in the gym trying to keep up with the younger fellows. And I think I actually get more notice while walking Sophie than I did years ago when I walked my Dobe or Rottie. I just attribute the smiles and attention to Sophie's cuteness.