A Real Dog Growing up in Texas, we always had dogs in the family. I am a big fan of dogs and have always seemed to get along with them. Our family pets included German Shepherds and Black Labs. They were such loyal animals and always up for a game of fetch or tug of war. When my neighborhood buddies and I would take off on our Saturday adventures, the dogs were always very close by. As we got older, those dogs were our companions when we went hunting, fishing or on horseback rides. Our canine friends were always there as companions and protectors, keeping us out of trouble best they could. We all were convinced they had a secret pack with our parents, because they always managed to steer us away from doing something stupid. They had many opportunities. Somehow, I don't think we really appreciated their intuitive oversight. As I moved on to my military travels, I also left those canine friends behind. There never was an opportunity to have a dog in those circumstances. My career allowed me to be around Military Working Dogs and I learned quickly to appreciate their role in our daily operations. These were wonderfully smart and loyal animals. Each were training in specific roles such as bomb and narcotic detection or patrol dogs. I loved having that exposure to them and appreciated their partnership. In a very tense or violent situation, there is nothing like having a 90 pound land shark as your back-up. It does lend to a certain sense of comfort, especially if you understand their ways. My career progressed as I traveled the world. At each stop and every location, I found an opportunity to work with those animals. I enjoyed those times, but always found myself missing having the companionship of a dog. Then came my transfer to California, in my current profession and I hoped for an opportunity to find a special dog to have along in my adventures. Being a bachelor and very happy with my circumstances, it surely would have been the perfect opportunity. My opportunities never were timed with the perfect pet and I consequently delayed my action. Then came along the love of my #life, and she had a dog! I was pretty happy about that… until I met the dog. The first time we met, this furry, fuzzy white haired poodle looking thing came down the stairs, barked at me, then backed up the stairs and peed. I just knew this was going to become a very interesting relationship. I just shook my head. This wasn't a real dog! He was this fuzzy, white poodle mix with food aggression and fear of anything that moved. It just wasn't going to work having a toy dog. I needed a real dog… a land shark, that could swim, hunt and fish with us. That dog just wouldn't do and my friends in Texas might just get a good giggle out of this one. Well, as fate would have it, I finally married Tweety and grew very fond of the dog. Anderson the dog and I went through some serious training and bonding during that time. I found myself becoming ever attached to this fuzzy white toy dog and we became great friends. He changed his ways and lost the fear that could make him a biter. The nasty food aggression disappeared, and he became a very relaxed pet. I started to find all those qualities in Anderson that I missed from those dogs I grew up with in Texas. Soon enough he took their place in my mind and my heart. He has his little quirks, and I always tease Tweety that he isn't a real dog. I love him and value his companionship. Then came a decision I never thought I could ever make. Last Valentine's Day I surprised Tweety with a Chihuahua mix. She squealed with excitement as I introduced her to our newest pet, Kona. Now we have two toy dogs, much to my own amazement. Kona has fit in well and is a great pal for Anderson. They are a true pack. I have always wanted a real dog… a land shark. A masculine he-man kind of dog that could keep up with all of those activities that are truly manly and macho. But alas, it may just be a dream that may never be realized. We are in LA and those toy dogs are all the rage. Very chic. Not exactly the place that is friendly or accommodating to a real dog. However, Anderson and Kona are about as real as it gets in LA, and those boys have captured my heart. Now, we just have to work on their real dog skills. We have a long trail ahead…