I had thought about this day for weeks, making quite sure that I had considered the situation through well, trying not to make a too hasty decision, was there room, and enough time in my life to devote to another added responsibility. Could I cope with the obvious changes that would occur? After all this was going to be a commitment for life.

I was however fairly confident. I had prepared well. The room was arranged, her favourite foods were in readiness and I had made sure that she had many things in which to keep her occupied and amused.

The doorbell finally rang after what seemed like an eternity. I eagerly answered the door, my eyes focusing only on a small bundle being held by a woman that I had never met but had spent many a long distance telephone call with over the many weeks that it had taken to come to this point.

They came in and sat down. I immediately asked to hold her. She was so lovely and very tiny with big beautiful brown eyes and golden hair. I felt her tremble under the blanket that was surrounding her.

I was worried that she seemed too timid. It would take time I thought for us to get to know one another, after all, she was only five months old and had been used to being cared for by someone other than myself, and now she was leaving all her other brothers and sisters for the first time.

We spent a long time just cuddling and I talked gently to her and whispered in her ear trying to comfort and reassure her that I was not going to harm her.

It was suddenly time for us to be alone and to begin our new life together. We waved to the woman who kindly wished us luck as she climbed into her car and then drove away. This was it, for the better or worse, only time would tell.

We have spent many months together and she is growing like the proverbial weed. We are getting along well and she has settled in perfectly, and for the most part she is very well behaved.

My life and my home will never again be quite the same, but I am so happy that at last we are a family, just the two of us, me and my most beautiful little Chihuahua pup named "Pebbles"

Story written by Maggie J. Theron