I have a very smart and loyal pet dog.Its Name is Winter.It is very special to me and I love him.Winter is not too big. Its fur is shiny and snow white. It has ears that are pointed at the end.It likes to wag its tail when it is happy or excited.My father and I made a Kennel which is my bedroom.Winter likes to eat dog biscuits, milk and red meat.Every day Winter sends me to school. Winter loves to chew bones that sharpen his teeth.Every evening, Winter and I go to the park to run.We enjoy spending precious time with each other.

I remember my first pet dog Goldie, a Cocker Spaniel, who was presented to us by our neighbour in Devlali in 1961, when I was just five.

We named him Goldie because of his colour, and the tiny one month old pup remained my constant companion and loyal friend till he passed away in 1970.

Then we had Bruno, a cute cuddly Lhasa Apso, who disappeared, or maybe was stolen one day.

After that a black playful Dachshund called Sherry entered our family.

I loved Sherry so much that I have named all my subsequent dogs Sherry.

In 1982 we were presented a lovable snow-white Lhasa Apso girl as a wedding gift.

Of course we named her Sherry.

Ours was an arranged marriage and probably the only thing that was compatible was that we both loved dogs.

Today it is my favourite Doberman X Mudhol Hound girl Sherry who illuminates every moment of our lives with happiness, joy and delight. Just imagine, she was the runt of the litter, weak, dying, when my wife brought her home, and we nurtured her, and look how lively she has become - indeed Sherry is the light of our lives!

If you ask me Why do people keep dogs?

I will ask you Why do people have children?

And remember, your children will grow up, and, one day, may go away from you, maybe for higher studies, or to pursue their careers, or just leave you because they want to stay separately; but your dog will never leave you and will loyally remain with you forever till death.

Of course, if you throw out your dog, or get rid of it, then its a different matter; but your dog wont leave you of its own accord.

If you are thinking of getting a dog into your home, as a family member, remember you are making a commitment to that dog for its lifetime, probably even more than your own children.

You need not go in for a fancy foreign breed. An Indian Breed or Mixed Breed or a mongrel, a stray, is hardier and will give you more pleasure.

And once the dog joins your family, invest your love and time to build a special bond that only a dog can offer, and you will both be happy you did.

You can take my word for it!

MY NEIGHBOURSNeighbours are those people who stay near my home. Most of my neighbours are come from many different countries. To the right side of my home is the home of the Kiangs. To the left side is the home of the Lams, and in the front is the home of the Grants. When my family arrived in their community, I used to think that they were best friend of my family. After living in this neighborhood for five years, I have to realize that my neighbors can be described in three specific groups: those who concentrate on study; those who deal with creative ventures and those who organize, systematic, and understandable.The first group in my neighbours tends to concentrate on study these proper. An example of this type of neighbors is child psychology and preschool education. Mr. Kiang is my neighbor and known to my family ever since we have shifted to our present home, about five years ago. He arrived from Frank in 1960. He has become nationally recognized for his contributions in the fields of pre-school education and parent teacher relationships. His voice is not just of the immigrant South Asian community but also of an immigrant community of the millions who have stayed in ancestral culture. His pleasure is derived from helping those who need help. He can paint, white wash, mow the lawn, trim the plants, wash clothes and do carpentry. He is a good Christian and seldom misses his Sunday church attendance. He is called by the people in the neighborhood, the second "Rip-van- winkle.aE...