When my kids and friends knew I was getting Bruno, they all sent me texts – a dog, dog? Is this a joke? Everyone was shocked when they saw my first puppy posting. I have never had a dog, except when I was a little kid – our family had dachshunds. I gravitated toward a dachshund because the breed was somewhat familiar to me. I have asthma and am actually allergic to dogs and cats, but when my kids were still young we had a couple of cats, but never dogs. This past year I had been doing yoga with Carolyn Connell in her apartment. I felt like it was never going to work, because she has two pugs and no matter how much you clean, there is still going to be dog hair. I was concerned since I was down on the floor and practicing deep breathing. However, that whole year I did not have any asthmatic issues. I was concerned since I was down on the floor and practicing deep breathing. However, that whole year I did not have any asthmatic issues. Granted if I pet the dogs and brought my fingers to my eyes, my eye will itch. If I do the same with Bruno my eyes will itch, but I just make sure to wash my hands and so far there haven't been any asthma issues.

Carolyn, determined that I should have a dog, sent me an ad. There was a woman in town that had some puppies. I called her and she told me she just had one puppy left out of the three. I was a bit apprehensive, but my friend, Sari Farouki, and I had been talking about getting a dog together – one we could share. So we went to the breeder's home – an incredible farm. She had a bazillion dogs, or at least it felt like that to me. The second I got there I felt like I did when I was told I was pregnant; are you sure we're going to do this? It was chaos. The dogs came running out of the house and it's like when you don't have children and you see three-year-olds having a tantrum. I was getting really panicky, whereas Sari was really calm and excited. We both decided we were just looking – no commitment. But, the second he saw the puppy and held him, Sari decided Bruno was perfect and we had to get him. So, we did. Then, of course, who do you think cleans up after Bruno and takes care of all of the stuff?

Before we got Bruno we were thinking of very funny names, like Gandhi or Napoleon – because he is so little. But when we met him he just seemed like a Bruno 'cause for such a little guy, he is quite fearless. The name just seemed to fit. He is black with really pretty beige markings and his ears are kind of curly. He follows me around like a little shadow which is really cute. Bruno is very funny and I have a lot to learn about the whole dog thing. Cats you just throw outside and they know what to do, but with a dog it's truly like raising a child. You're going to keep them even when they poop on the floor! Since Sari and I bought Bruno together it's even like co-parenting. Bruno stays primarily at Sari's house, but during the day Bruno goes to Sari's parent's home for doggie daycare. They have a golden lab and the two dogs tumble and play together. Of course, Bruno thinks he is the alpha – which is funny because he is the size of a rat.

Before getting Bruno, I never really understood the whole dog thing. I guess my co-worker, Tina, summed it up best. Tina told me that whenever she came home to her dog she always felt like a million dollars; her dog was always waiting for her, happy to see her. It is so true. Bruno licks me and kisses me and tells me about his day (Tia making barking noises.) and it is so cute. I never really knew why people made such a big deal over dogs. Now I know.