We were back from my daughter’s great wedding  in Southern France. She was going to start chemotherapy very soon, and it was my job to find a Portuguese Water Dog. I became quite panicked when I could not find any. After a few weeks, I found a breeder who had a litter, Toraq, in Citrus Heights, California near Sacramento . I emailed her, and she responded that the litter consisted of only four puppies. There were three males and one female. The celebration colored white female was committed, and she was taking applications for the other three.

I composed my application, and told her the story about my doctor’s prescription, and my daughter’s plight. The breeder, Becky, was concerned about somebody being home during the day to be with the dog. She mentioned the importance of  having a huge back yard with high fences, and other characteristics. I was beginning to work mainly from home, so that didn't seem to be a problem. We've almost 1/2 acre by the San Francisco Bay that is absolutely fenced and secure. Surely we would qualify.

I asked if we could see the puppies. We would be able to see them in a few weeks. By mid-September we could travel to see the pups, and my daughter was feeling well enough to make the trip. The dogs weren't at Becky’s house but at a friend’s house. Becky has seven children, and many other dogs, and it was too hectic for the puppies to be there. On the eventful day,when we arrived at the home where the puppies were living, the four puppies were in and out of a massive box in the dining room. We could see that the caretaking  family and Becky were in love with the precious puppies. Before long, we were, too.

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