The truth is, I barely noticed Lefty when we went to the shelter. We'd gone there to look at 2 other dogs, but didn't feel a connection with either of them. I was sitting on the couch in the waiting room feeling a little depressed when one of the workers said, "Hmm, I wonder if you'd like Lefty; would you like me to bring him out?" I said why not. She brought him out and the first thing I asked was, "Why is he striped?"

He seemed calm but curious. We took him for a short walk, he behaved well and didn't freak out when we passed other dogs, and we threw caution to the wind and took him home. We often joke that we were willing to take the first dog the shelter threw at us--the truth is, we wouldn't have chosen him on looks alone, as frankly he's a little homely--but I feel very lucky that we ended up with him.