Nipsy's place and date of birth is unknown to me. Her first seven or so years will never be known to me. She entered my live through a friend of mine. This firend told me that her older sister had found Nipsy abandoned in an apartment. SHe had been there for several days before anyone realized she had been abandoned. My friend's sister felt so sorry for her that she took Nipsy in and gave her her name for her habit of licking her toes. She had Nipsy ofr several years and had to move and taking Nipsy with her was not possible. Rather than letting her be left at a shelter, my friend's parents took her into their home until a good home could be found. It was about this time that I had started a quest to buy my first home. BEing single and having lived in apartments for many years, I was anxious to get into a home for the sole purpose fo being able to get a dog--a luxury these days that you are not afforded by living in apartments. I had found a nice townhome and was prepared to head the nearest shelter (always my FIRST choice when looking for a pet), when my friend mentioned her parents having this dog that needed a good home. One look at Nipsy and she and I instantly bonded. We spent a wonderful six years together before a sudden turn in her health forced me to make that ultimate decision. When it came time, she looked up at me as I said my last, tearful good-bye as if to say "It's okay. I understand." No dog, no matter how long they are in my life, will ever replace Nipsy in my heart. I'll love you forever.