I was just 27 when I went to the humane society on a whim to look for a dog.  I was closing on my house that very same day and had the day off and decided to "just look".  When I got to the humane society I saw this litte white female dog who looked so pathetic...her haircut was so bad because she had been so matted.  When I went into the room to meet her she immediately came and sat on my lap...It was love at first sight!  I immediately started the adoption process and Phyllis was mine.  



Phyllis immediately took to me like I was the only owner she had ever had.  We struck up a bond that will never or could be replaced by any other dog.  Friends and family immediately took to her as well, giving new nicknames all the time...Phyllis Diller, The Little White Dog, Philly Cream Cheese, Rootie Toot Toot Doobie Doobie Do, Pencil Legs, Crook Shank, Tootie, Baby Girl, Princess and Mama's Baby.  



The most unique thing about Phyllis was that through all the stories I told to people about her, these people remembered these stories and after her passing reminded me of all the wonderful moments we shared.  I have never known another dog to be talked to as much as Phyllis has been.  What a wonderful life she had with me and everyone that loved her.



Every morning I would get ready for work and she would remain in bed and I would go in there and call her name and just her head would peek out at me from under the covers and I would say, "There's a Tootie in my bed".  I really miss that.



Phyllis had a brother named Ashes and I always said they had a love/hate relationship.  If Ashes got too close to me she would growl and snarl at him, sometime jumping off my lap to go for his jugular.  It was quite hysterical.  Then at times they would lay right next to eachother, cuddling like they were the best of friends.  



Phyllis was like a baby to me.  She always had to be on my lap...and that's all I ever wanted was a lap dog.  She was the ULTIMATE lap dog!  If I was on the computer she had to be on my lap and I had to type around her.  It was awkward, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  She once let me groom her and lovingly forgave my "chop job".  I could dress Phyllis like a baby...putting her on her back and slipping a jacket onto her or a sweater to keep her warm.  Every winter, Trent and I would have to shovel a path in the snow just so she would go potty outside.  And every Halloween she had a new outfit to display for all the kids...I will miss the "Awwww, she's so cute" I got from all the kids that came by.  She was a ham, no doubt.



Phyllis also had the best dog daddy in the world...always giving her treats, but breaking them up first for her little mouth.  If he didn't break it up she would bring it to the top of the steps and eat it there, leaving crumbs to get stuck to the bottom of our feet...what I wouldn't give for one more crumb on my foot!  Everytime Trent would do stretching on the floor she would attack him and want to play.  They had a special bond and Trent misses her just as much as I do.



Phyllis passed away from Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia...Her little body was so weak, that is just collapsed.  She was in my arms when they put her to sleep and is buried under the pine trees in our back yard where she will always be close to me.



Before Phyllis died in my arms, I told her, "Thank you for letting me be a part of your life".  And after she died I asked her to come to me in my dreams.  The day she died I looked up at the clouds and I saw a little face and I said, "I see you too Phyllis".  She was my little baby, my companion, my life.  I will miss her deeply and can't wait to be reunited one day with my Tootie.