Smokey? I was 2 years old. I obviously don't remember. My parents got him from a breeder...for me, actually. It's rather funny....I didn't have many friends, so they ended up getting me a dog and getting me interested in drawing.....lol....and here I am now, obsessed with animals and art.

I guess there were 2 pups left in the litter...2 boys...one was perfect, and then there was Smokey...lol. He has crooked teeth, crooked back, longer legs, etc. My mom said he reminded her of herself (lol) so she picked the pup that wasn't wanted, because she was worried nobody else would take him and he'd end up at shelter. Needless to say, we've had the funny looking little $50 black poodle for almost 17 years now, and he's still a Momma's boy.

Reggie was another last of the litter pups (you may find a theme going on here...) My dad's friend from work had a schnauzer with pups, and there was one pup they just couldn't get rid of! He was very large for a mini schnauzer, had thick ears that stuck up, and a hernia. My parents talked with us (kids) about getting another dog, but they never really said we could. And one day my dad took just me for a ride, and we ended up going to get my Reggie boy! I don't know how old he was, but he was quite large, and he'd been there for a while....he was free. I remember he'd just had a bath and he rode home with his paws on my shoulder.

And on to Nebo...well, practically since I was born I had been *begging* to get another dog. I've always been obsessed with wolves, and this somehow turned into an obsession with siberian huskies and german shepards. Huskies became the main focus.....I bought books, drew them, etc. etc. and just about drove my parents insane. Well, it started out this year with my sister getting a westie pup, McKinney. I ended up taking care (EXTRA GOOD CARE) of him for 3 weeks....and I believe it somehow convinced my parents that I actually could take on the full responsibility of my own dog. And from McKinney, my friend, Melissa, ended up convincing her parents to let her get a dog (actually, it was either she get a dog or she was moving out...lol). So then there was Lady....and many talks with my parents about dogs.... It was amazing to me though, as the talks turned from a strict "NO" to a sort of "maybe." After the "maybe" I was always hinting on puppies. And then I ended up in the hospital...I think that's when they finally gave in.

Ok well, I'll admit I was a *little* excited about finally getting my husky!!! I looked for ads in the paper, and ended up visiting several litters of husky puppies. I, of course, fell in love with them all. I had convinced myself earlier that I would come home with an AKC black and white female. And after looking at all of those puppies, there were these 2 red males that I just couldn't get out of my head! I don't know what it was about them.......it really was stupid of me to get one of them...they were not AKC, they were little snots...OH WELL, what's done is done. They were also the last of the litter. I ended up choosing Nebo over his almost identical brother because he was slightly smaller, darker, and has that cute little stripe down his belly. We had some "issues" at first (he really was a snot!) but now he's my baby....the over-sized lap dog...and I love him to death.

It's rather funny as the first deal of me getting a dog would be.....an outside dog, they'd have nothing to do with it, etc. etc. etc. Now the spoiled brat lives inside, and my dad's always bragging about his "grandson."