I had recently moved to El Centro, California to work as a contractor for the Navy. After spending so many years in the Navy moving from one place to another, I was looking forward to planting roots for awhile. My ex and I had discussed getting a dog. One day shortly before Christmas she made an excuse to take the car as she dropped me off for work. When I came home that evening, lying curled up in the hallway was a skinny reddish brown pup. "Awww ya got me a greyhound!" I said. We named her Tanda after a character in a book I had read.

A few nights later, I had fallen asleep on the couch while watching Dick Clark rock in the new year, I woke up to find her laying on my chest, curled up all comfy and warm....we bonded that night, a bond that lasted almost 15 years.