I was never gladder to have a dog than I was tonight!

[NightTrain]

So, Connecticut had this nasty winter storm today. My drive home from work at 6:00 this evening gave new meaning to Little Richard's 1950s hit, "Slippin' and Slidin'."

As if that weren't bad enough, it turned out that three towns in Tolland County were 100% without electricity. Naturally, one of them was mine!

When I got home, the apartment was ice cold and bathed so deeply in darkness, I felt like Ray Charles sans the talent. I located my flashlight, only to find the batteries dead and no fresh ones lying around. So, what else could I do but climb into bed and try to keep warm until the lights (and the heat) came back on?

That's where the dog came in.

Tonight, Mystique, my roommate's big cuddly pit bull, displayed the kind of loyalty for which pooches are famous. As I lay in bed under the covers, Mystique cuddled up to me, her head resting against my chest, acting as a living, breathing space heater. And together we lay for close to five hours, alternating between sleep and boredom.

The lights just came back on about fifteen minutes ago. Sitting at the computer, I'm still shivering as I wait for the heat to work its magic. But Mystique lays in front of me, resting on my bare feet, keeping at least that part of me nice and warm.

Have I mentioned that I love dogs? :loveya:

[Shopaholic]

1. They know just what to do

How can you not love dogs????

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

2. Nice story Night Train :)

Makes me really want to get a puppy now .

[flvegan]

3. Ahhhhhhgggggghhhhhhh!!!

Pit bull!!!! Kill it!!! Evil dog, vicious breed!!! Shoot it, shoot it!! She'll eeeeeat the chilllllllldren!!!

Ta da!

So, whaddya think of my impresson of the typical misinformed person, upon hearing the words "pit bull" in any context at all?

Mystique sounds great. What color is she?

[NightTrain]

8. Mystique is tan and black.

And she has the gentlest eyes you'll ever see on a full-grown pooch. Anyone who thinks all pit bulls are vicious ought to meet Mystique some time!

[Seldona]

4. Agreed.

Always loved the dog laying next to me on those cold winter nights, at least until I lost him to my oldest daughter.

:)

[YellowRubberDuckie]

5. What a beautiful story....

I wish I could hug my dog right about now. Well, he's not even my dog, but he's MY Dog...You know what I mean?
They are the best little creatures. She could have saved your life, and she was probably cold too. Dogs ROCK!
Duckie

[radwriter0555]

6. I become a dog sandwich every night... unfortunately there isn't 20 lbs

of dog between the two of them.

I'm the hotdog in a dog bun.

**sigh**

I keep THEM warm. okay, I really, really need a life now.

[kodi]

7. me too, how 5 dogs and i can fit on a king-sized bed is beyond me

i go to bed alone each night and awake in the shape of a swastika surrounded by 5 doggies.

its a good thing my namesake kodi has her own bed.

[Flaxbee]

9. Very sweet story, NightTrain...

we've got kitties who are warm and snuggly, too, but there's something special about looking into a dog's eyes, knowing he or she knows full well s/he's helping you out and thrilled to be doing so.

Sounds like you have good company!

[WINEWOMAN7]

10. Dog's are your best friend!

Night Train, I know just what you mean about pitt bulls. They are one of the nicest breeds despite their bad rep. I have a young male, Buddy, who doesn't have a mean bone in his body. He is so sweet and funny and just craves attention. He and my chocolate lab, Grizzly sleep with me and keep me warm and give me unconditional love every night. What would we do without our angels living in dog's bodies.

Dian

[soothsayer]

11. Ha! That dog used you for YOUR heat.

Sucker....!

; )

[NightTrain]

12. D'oh!

And I thought only cats manipulated us like that! :evilgrin:

[MountainLaurel]

13. Pit bulls

Are some heat-transfering mofos. My parents have had three, and all of them were great to cuddle up to in the middle of winter. Not so great in the summer, but . . .