Pardon the dog hair: Lizzie and co.

What can I say, I love dogs. If I didn't live in a townhouse in Dallas, I would probably have 5 or 6. My parents are the same way. Dogs have always been a very important part of our family.

Growing up, I had Cooler, a black cocker spaniel named after the infamous pound puppy. He lived to be 17 years old, so I was in college when he passed away. My parents waited a few years, but got Polly, their chocolate lab, several years ago. She is very much my dad's dog, but still loves everyone she meets. After several years of contemplating, I decided it was time for me to get a little dog of my own.

Deciding what kind of dog was difficult for me. Spaniels have always been very dear to me, so I was hoping to find some type of spaniel. I knew that I really loved the Cavalier King Charles breed of spaniel. I did all of my homework and research and decided that would be a perfect dog for me. The next part was difficult; I wanted a rescue dog. Having volunteered for years at the SPCA, rescue dogs hold a soft spot in my heart. There are so many beautiful, kind dogs just waiting to find a family to love them, their "furrever home."

I was very lucky and was able to find a rescue cavalier in north Dallas. She had just been rescued from a puppy mill in Arizona, and hadn't been used as breeding stock quite yet. Once I saw her, I knew I had to have her. I took her home with me that day. Lizzie came home with me in February of 2009. She has been living a charmed life ever since.

Very few things have provided the amount of happiness that Lizzie provides me with. She is such a character with a huge heart. Every morning she sits waiting for the alarm to go off so she can smother me with kisses. Wes absolutely loves her to. She has been a huge part of our relationship.

Because one dog just wasn't enough, I began fostering dogs when I moved into my townhome last year. I have worked with Paws in the City and DFW Lab Rescue, and also have done a little rescuing on my own. I have had quite a few different dogs, all with very distinct personalities, but all sharing once common characteristic: their desire to love someone. If you are interested in getting a dog, I highly recommend checking out the dogs available through a local rescue group. You can commonly find them set up on the weekend at local pet supply stores (Petsmart, Petco, Pet Supplies Plus), or you can google dog rescue groups in your city. If you have any questions, I would be more than happy to help answer them.