I got Smokie 13 years ago this next week. He was in a yard crate with his front paws up on the side and his tail wagging like mad. He looked at me as if he'd been waiting for me to show up and I looked at him like I had finally found the perfect pet. He dried my tears when my husband passed away, listened to words of sorrow, frustration and fear. When I met my husband for the first time 8 years ago he ran in his house and pooped on the floor. I guess Smokie wanted to see if he'd fit into our little family and he gave his approval when Tom just cleaned it up and didn't scold him. He had personality plus. He thought everyone who came was there to see him. He said please by raising one paw and found it worked well to get what he wanted and he worked it for everything from food to riding in the car. We miss him and will always miss the way he used his eyes to express his attitude. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 15, 2020.