What do you get when you cross a dog and a calculator?
A friend you can count on.
 
Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.
 
Every family had a favorite pet, be it a dog, cat, bird or lizard. I had several pets throughout my life. However, the pet that is the dearest to my heart is My Lady.
I had My Lady as a boy. She was gorgeous. She had one blue eye and one brown eye. She had long soft brown hair. Lady was the runt of a litter of a dozen pups. Generally, runts were harassed. She was no exception at first. She was the smartest pup, however. Lady learned that if she got into the bowl of food and sat in it the other pups could not shove her away. She ate at her leisure.
When she was older and about the size of a fox, which she resembled, we would take long walks in the extensive woods of Vermont, a wilderness area that had all kinds of wild animals. Lady was my trusting, loyal and protective friend, always at my side. She would sleep with me on my bed and be there to greet me in the morning. We really protected each other on those long walks in the woods. We met various animals from bears to porcupines. We both knew to be quiet and respectful. Lady only barked if they got to close or threatening, which rarely happened.
We had other pets in the family as well. However, Lady bonded with me and became my faithful companion.
It was a sad day when I left for college. I’m sure she wondered where I was for days. She would have slept on my bed if it was there. Since there were several kids in the family and I was the first to go off to college my room was occupied by my younger brother. Lady went to the next best companion, my dad. My dad took her everywhere with him. He also assured me that she missed me and will always be My Lady.
Shawn O’Neil
Cornwall