You see, her friend's dog had just had puppies. They were little, tiny miniature schnauzers and were they precious! She wanted one so badly, but I just wasn't sure.

There was one puppy huddling in the corner shaking. He was all black with little white paws. They called him "Boots." Well, I took my daughter home and as the days passed all I could think about was this little ball of fur. We had planned a trip to Florida, and while we were there I just decided I had to have him.

We were walking through a mall shopping so I found the nearest pay phone and called. Boots was the only puppy left! We picked up our bundle of joy and brought him home. We gave him the middle name "Claus" because Christmas is so special to us.

I cannot begin to explain how he filled my life with joy. He was gentle, loving and the most loyal being I've ever encountered. Boots was 12 1/2 years old in October of 2000. He developed a baseball size tumor which was cancerous. We had the tumor removed in the hope that he would be ok. Boots was a fighter until the end. He tried so hard to pull through but just couldn't fight anymore. My little buddy passed away on Halloween.

I have never felt such an emptiness in my heart, but I know he is better off. At this time of year I will always think of him because he was our little Santa, always giving love and loyalty. I miss him but I know we will meet again. Until then, he is one more star in the heavens.