[Bitsy]

Our big dog was a stray that we took in when she was about 8 months old. It was in August of 2001, but we called her my sons Christmas present.

At first we weren't planning on keeping her. Just offered her food and water and some love. My son was 5 at the time. He was outside petting her and I could hear him through the screen door. He was saying "please don't leave, just stay today and tonight...and maybe tomorrow too."

He didn't have a lot of neighbor friends because several of them were so mean, and I just felt like he really needed a friend.

I went out and got a collar and tie line so she wouldn't leave. (at the time our backyard was not fenced.)

We were what she needed, and Sandy is exactly what my 5 year old son needed. She is the best big dog and we all love her so much. That year I got a statue of Santa and a dog from my husband. It always reminds me of my sons best Christmas gift ever!