Meet Our Perfect Dog, Sir Winston

Six years ago, while on vacation and visiting family in Naples, Florida, my adult nephew asked us if we'd like another dog. At that time we owned two Miniature Pinschers, one Rottweiler and one Golden Retriever/Black Labrador mix. The answer, of course, was "No, we're not interested in another dog." He proceeded to trot out the little guy and it was love at first sight!

We saw Winston for the first time and we fell in love, plain and simple. This little guy was a purebred red sable Pomeranian, small and a bundle of fluff. He was the foxy kind of Pomeranian and was well coated and totally adorable. He knew it!

The matter was easily settled and, even before we asked why Winston needed to find a new home, we knew he was coming home with us - a unanimous decision. Apparently, my nephew's wife was "afraid of him." Yes, you read that right - she was afraid of a 6 pound Pomeranian. They didn't elaborate; we didn't ask. We now had a fifth dog, we were on vacation, and we were not headed back home to Connecticut for a couple more days via a detour through Williamsburg, Virginia. It didn't matter - this little guy was coming home.

And that was one of the best decisions we ever made. That day was the start of a love affair that burns brightly to this day and forever more. Winston is the perfect dog. His habits are clean and there just are no accidents. He eats well, loves to play with toys, is polite, great with kids, is happy in human company, shares his affection, doesn't chew or destroy anything, never barks incessantly, and we talk to him like he is a family member. From day 1, this particular furball has found a place in our hearts.

Whenever possible, he accompanies us anywhere. In fact, he is such a gentleman that he is a therapy dog at a hospital and at a nursing home. My son takes him to work one day a week. There, Winston rules the roost and has a faithful audience, especially in the convalescent wings. He is "beloved" there - people adore him and his adorable ways. And it should be noted that he knows exactly what he is doing. He has a sense -  we call him a "healer." His persona changes with different people. I mean at times he is exuberant and playful, while at other times he is reserved and quietly attentive. He never licks, he never has accidents, he heels like a well-trained agility dog.

While he has never been as versed in English or understanding "human talk" like the Rottweiler, he nevertheless knows all the important words. His favorites are Woodlake, squirrel, the German words for food, eating, going potty, going for a walk and several other house routine words and the best word to say is "ride." This dog has a wise doggie brain, is an incredible canine companion and can easily be ranked at the top of our doggie list as all-around super duper dog.

Well into his ninth year of life now, Winston has slowed down considerably and perhaps more than we like. Oh yes! He still loves to mock kill his squeaky toys and is obsessive about all of his toys. But he is graying around the muzzle and he has slowed down a little. He'll ask to be lifted into the truck; he no longer jumps onto the bed; he needs a running start to bounce up on the sofa. Yet his heart still burns warm for his "pack."

When all is said and done, he never showed us a moment of fierceness or disobedience. He has been the model of dog perfection. We chuckle still whenever we tell the story of how he came to live with us. How is it that you can fear a tiny dog? To us it doesn't matter anymore, it's just a great story. If we had not been in Naples at the right time, we might never have met this incredible dog.

One thing is for sure, whenever he goes for a walk or works at the hospital, he draws a crowd. He is simply irresistible. And I finally got it - This dog is a "chick magnet" and, for my nephew's young wife, magnetism like that was not an option. Imagine that - Jealous of a dog!

Whatever it was that brought Winnie into our lives, thank goodness.

I vote for the Pomeranian breed without reservation - NONE! We love this breed so much, that now we have two additional Pom Poms, both girls. They are not here for breeding although each is a beauty. They're 3 pounds and 3.5 pounds, respectively. We have them for companionship, pleasure and love.