Well....you all know about my 'Goose, but Im going to gush anyways!

I was working my way through school as a waitress at a summer resort in the mountains. One afternoon a guy cam in with two puppies he'd found by the road. The rest of the litter was dead in a bag in the ditch. He said he'd take one of them, but the other one needed a home. I did NOT need a dog, but I got one anyways.

He was a terror from the start. I named him Angus after Angus Mac Og. He truly had the power over day and night--well at least MY days and nights anyways..

I worked at the resort from 6am til 8pm. Long days with small trips up the hill to make sure he wasn't tangled around a tree or something, Scratch him and say hi. It was only in the second week that I had him that I ended up having to work over. Around 8:30 my boss came in to the restaurant and said "Your escort is here..."

Out on the back patio sat the pooch. He'd figured I was late, untied himself from the tree, and came to the restaurant to get me. It was like that the entire summer. I never did figure out why he didn't untie himself during the day and go play or something.

When I was in school, he was the perfect gentleman. Allowing us to poke and prod him, use him for practicing blood draws, radiographs, and bandaging practice. And when I brought home other animals in need of help, he gave up his bed, food, and attention in favor of the ones who needed it more.

He loves the mornings. We go walking before I leave for work. Some days he goes with me to the clinic, some days not. When I'm home, he's my black shadow. Curled up with his head across my feet so he can tell if I get up. He watches the goings on in the house with his paws crossed just like Kendall's pooch.

Last year, my house was broken into while we were home. Angus took off like a shot and attacked the guy. The last thing I saw was the two of them running into the woods at the back of the property. Angus came home dragging a leg and covered in blood. I took him in and my partner checked him over. I was a wreck. My partner came out shaking his head and I thought the worst. Turns out he was covered in blood, but none of it was his. It was the one and only time he's ever turned on another creature.

I've always loved animals, and always shared my home with them, but I can't say that any have affected me as much as this dog. Sometimes it feels like he's a guardian angel sent to give me a little boost. I can't sleep in, the black destroyer comes and pulls the blankets off the bed if I do. If I'm working too long, he'll lay his head on my lap and give the great big sigh....can't we go play or something?

And of course, no matter what I do, he thinks I'm wonderful. That kind of unconditional love is unbelievable. Totally unswayed by the money you make (just so long as you share your chow), and what kind of car you drive (just so long as I can go for a ride). Just scratch me on the ears and tell me I'm a good dog, that's enough.