A little over a year ago today, a Valkyri sent me a picture of a dog that needed to be adopted at the Barrie SPCA.

My love and I had been thinking about getting a dog but not for awhile but something about this picture spoke to me. I made the picture my desktop and kept looking at that perky curious black and tan face, practically asking me "You have biskit?".

Of course, it helped that she was my favorite breed - a rottweiler - but I just stared and stared at that picture. "I want her," I said to Fred. "Of course you do," was his reply. We worked out the money. We figured out that we could afford to have one dog, even a big one. I called and asked about her. "Is she quiet?" Yes they said. "Is she friendly with other dogs?" yes they said. "Will she be ok in an apartment if we leave her alone?" Oh, yes they said.

Fred and I adopted her sight unseen. Barrie is a very long way from where I am so we had to beg a friend to drive us there. We sent the place pictures of me and Fred taken around our apartment with my stuffed Rotti collection. I thought it would be good to send the SPCA people pictures, because they were adopting to us sight unseen too!

A year ago today we brought our Ninny home. Not for a moment, not ever, do I regret going to Barrie and getting her. Sure, she's older, but there's so much spunk in her, you wouldn't know! She's healthy, and friendly, and cuddly, and perfect in the apartment! We couldn't have designed ourselves a more perfect dog-fit for our family.

Princess has been my blessing and my savior. She has helped me calm down alot at home, and though my depression affects me once in awhile, I'm off the drugs and out of therapy! It's having Princess around that has helped me calm down and settle in to my life so much!

There's nothing quite like her greeting when I come home, and taking an afternoon nap with her body all pressed up against mine - heaven!

I love her so much, and I know Fred does too. We spoil our Ninny rotten, but she deserves every minute of it. Everyone loves her, the vets, strangers, and even people previously afraid of dogs has fallen in love with her goofy personality. It took a good 6 moths for her true personality to shine through, but now she's Princess and it's awesome.

I bought her a lean, free-range steak from the Whole Foods market and tonight she shall feast like a Princess. Fred gets the leftovers. We also have dog-safe chocolate dipped biscuits, and a new chewy pig ear for her tonight.

Happy Adopt-Birthday Princess. I will treasure every moment with you, and will love you always. You are my Ninny, and I am proud to call you my family!