I looked at my dogs outside.  All four.  Each was facing away from the large white pine tree forming a circle around the tree in a different direction.  I love my four dogs.  Each differently.  Coco, a female black long haired is simply sweet.  Pax the elder likes the sound of his own voice.  Sweetie the golden retriever is just that sweet and happy go lucky and loves to gnaw on branches.  Tilla and I have a special relationship.  I earned his loyalty by almost endlessly rubbing his belly.  In fact, he often gives me a hug by resting his upper body on me and then having me pet him.  He is no small dog–at least seventy pounds–very affectionate.  All of them are big.  They are enjoying the snow today.  I never in my wildest dreams expected to own four dogs (and that does not include the seven cats who roam the house).  To say the least, we have no mouse problem in our house.  I could not have imagined this menagerie twenty-five years ago.

I sometimes get a really enthusiastic greeting from Tilly Willy, my favorite dog.  I will be in my bedroom and he will jump on my bed to get a hug from me, which I always do.  I never know when he is going to do that.  He is unpredictable.  He certainly knows how to make me feel wanted and is openly affectionate.  He is my favorite dog.  He and I have a special relationship.  My first dog I raised from a pup died awhile ago and I never thought another one like her would come along.  Daisy was one stubborn dog but when I was in the same room she never took his eyes off of me.  Tilly Willy aims to please.  He gets special treatment from me.