THE STORY SO FAR...

When some 28 year olds get that urge to take care of something, they have a baby. I decided to get a dog instead. When I started researching, I learned that lots of people go about finding a dog all wrong. You can't pick it because it's cute. You can't always pick it because you feel sorry for it. You can't pick it because everybody at the dog park has one.

And if you live in the city - the land of landlords and condo boards and close neighbors � you really have to be careful. One of the saddest days of your life will be taking a dog you love to the pound because of your neighbors. Especially since they won't really be the cause. Let me explain � if you pick a Labrador Retriever and gosh golly you didn't realize that he's gonna want to RETRIEVE everyday because that's kinda his job. So you're never home and he barks all day. That isn't your neighbor's fault or your dog's fault.

But joy of joys, if you take a little time to learn about dogs, their tempraments, the breed personalities (who knew?), where to find them and where NOT to find them, you can find the right companion.

Five years ago, I was a single, apartment living city girl looking for an extremely lazy dog, who would watch TV with me and not bark through my shows. I HATE barky dogs. I was sure that my neighbors would hate them too. I needed some independence too - I work and have to travel sometimes. Some dogs are destroyed by you leaving them - EVER. I also had a 14 year old cat who was my riding partner since I was 14.

I found a girly Bullmastiff, named her Lola and five years later she's the light of my life. I wished that I'd put everything I'd cobbled together about finding a dog in one place, but I didn't.

Now, my boyfriend Robot is looking for his dog-to-love. So I'm gonna tell his tale. I hope it helps you.

And I hope it helps dogs find their way home.