The German Shepherd breed is known primarily for police training. The Shih Tzu breed is in the more non-sporting category. With its long, double coat and undershot bite, these two would probably not be found frolicking together around the yard engaged in a game of fetch.

Lt. James Penhale of the Helena Police Department will adopt Victor, the K-9 officer retiring after seven years. When I think abouta domestic animal, this confident, 80-pound companion isn’t what comes to mind. I picture Minnie, my 3-year-old Shih Tzu. Minnie is black and white, 10 pounds, sports a pink Auburn collar and a purple lace bow on top of her head. Her facial hair falls down to her nose, forcing her to look up at you so her little black bug eyes can see through the tangles. I tend to keep her hair short to cut down on an hour a day of brushing. At night, she wheezes and snores, when I nudge her for waking me up, she gives me the &uot;death&uot; look as how dare I wake her of such a slumber. If ever she gets out of hand, I simply mutter the phrase, &uot;Minnie, you want a treat?&uot; in a high-pitch tone, that compared to someone with helium in their lungs, and she comes to my feet bowing in obedience. She recently lost her boyfriend, Oscar, a Lhasa Apso of my step-mothers. She has never been too fond of other animals; I’m assuming is a trait of only child syndrome, but she was in love with Oscar. I’m convinced it was because they both spoke Chinese.

Although she is playful, she is very territorial and loves her alone time. A typical female, she would rather lie in her pink down-feathered bed as oppose to chasing

through the woods for the latest runaway. If Minnie and Victor ever met, I believe she would be cordial and

offer him half a chew of her squeaky plush pig. As long as I have her in my life I will enjoy the love and moodiness of Minnie, as I’m sure Lt. Penhale will of his new retired crime-fighting pooch