When Chiquita and her sister Bruni came to me as a birthday gift from my husband John, I wasn't too happy. I didn't think I wanted to have pets. But was I wrong! In no time I was crazy about my girls, my Mexican streeters.

Chiquita was so small, she could barely walk and her eyes were still hazy. She had little legs and a round tummy that touched the floor. She loved her food and dreamed about eating. She never thought she had had enough. She would eat fast and go to stare Bruni out of her food. Then she tried the same trick with us. She also loved her treats, knew where they were and how many she was supposed to have.

Chiqui loved running and she was able to outrun her long legged sister using her "special" moves. She and her sister were hunters, or so they thought. They wanted to catch a bird that used to come to our terrace. One day this poor bird crashed against the glass door and fell unconscious on the floor and our hunters couldn't figure out what to do with it. They just stood there and watched the bird. Maybe they were more pointer than hunter.

Her very expressive face and bright eyes let you know how she felt. The first day the obedience trainer came to the house she greeted him happily. She soon decided training wasn't much fun. I will always remember the smirk on her face the next time she saw the trainer.

So many stories... Chiquita grew up to be a wonderful dog. She was with me when the times were good and helped me celebrate. She was also there with me when the times were not so good and helped me endure those more difficult moments. She was and will remain everywhere in my life. I will miss her and I will love her forever.