Winter, a Miniature Schnauzer, came into my life the summer of 1999. There were so many telephone calls with Ginger, the breeder, prior to Winter's birth. For me, the wait for my puppy's arrival was as intense as a young child waiting for Christmas morning.

Winter joined our family as the second dog in the house. Summer, is our 4 year old established schnauzer.

As a geriatric Social Worker Miss Winter & Summer join me frequently at my jobs. The dogs are cuddled on nursing homes beds and Resident laps when we have assigned jobs in Metro Washington, D.C. Adult Day Care, Nursing Homes and Retirement Homes.

Summer and Winter eagerly enter these homes and greet the Residents with enthusiasm indicating that the dogs welcome attention from the residents. The residents often want to touch them and have the dogs sit with them (either on their laps or on a chair next to them).

At the end of my art lectures the Residents often comment on how "well behaved" the dogs are. They have accompanied me to the nursing homes and other work assignments since each of them was 8 weeks old.

Miss Winter is always the star. Beyond sweet, loving, quiet, and mature and is so receptive to the hands that reach out to her. It warms my heart that Winter keeps her eyes on me throughout the programs, making sure that I am in her sight.

My mother, a widow, lives with Mitzie, the birth sister of Ms. Winter. What a mark Mitzie has made on my mother's life. She shadows my mother in everything she does. Mitzie provides that " zest of life" for an older person who lives alone.

Laurie T. in Maryland