My wife and I both grew up with dogs. When Carolyn was eight-years-old, her family adopted Fabian, a beautiful cocker spaniel terrier. They were fortunate to love and be loved by that dog for the next 16 years. My parents were cocker spaniel people. We had 2 in succession as I grew up. I remember Buffy as being a little grumpy, but that's probably because he was getting up in years and I was the new toddler in the house, waking him up from his nap. Sandy came along when I was in grade school. He was young when I was, and we had tons of fun together. Since we've been together, several strays have passed through our lives. Jocko, a Scottish terrier mixed breed, was abandoned in my brother's back yard in Urbana. We gave him a home. While on a walk in rural central Illinois, my wife was followed for two miles by a shepherd-collie. The dog made herself at home in the yard and wouldn't leave. We eventually tracked down Queenie's owners, and they said they didn't want her. We wanted her for the next 15 years. Then we rescued Ginger, a pit-bull mix from a shelter. I read water meters part time, so long walks are my thing. I carry dog biscuits on my route, and I've made a number of canine friends that way. We're currently without a dog, but we absolutely adore our "Grand-puppy" Dave. Our quiet residential neighborhood in south Wheaton has several parks and good dog-waking opportunities.