Everyone starts somewhere, and I started my love affair with Portuguese Water Dogs back in May of 1979. A little background, at the time I was recently divorced, teaching and going to graduate school and living with two cats, George, an orange tomcat and Bouja, a sweet calico. My old Beagle, Nicky, was still going strong -- crazy as ever -- living with my parents because I couldn't have a dog in my little rented carriage house. Life was good. Then my father got sick and after a brutal yet valiant fight with his disease, died in May 1979.
The day I returned to school after his death and funeral, my life changed because I met a black, curly Portuguese Water Dog puppy owned by my friend and fellow teacher, Maryanne. I was smitten, and I can still see that moment like it was yesterday. I was heading up a few stairs to our hall as Maryanne came out of her classroom carrying her new puppy Brilha. Maryanne put her down and said, "Go see Aunt Cathy." and Brilha wiggled and wagged to me as fast as she could. When I picked her up, I found out that she licked as fast as she wiggled and wagged. Thus the love affair began.
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