The Story of Simbalina

below is verbiage from my proud parent announcement of September 9, 2004, posted here for posterity. ========================================================== for those of you who don't know, i am now the proud owner of a lovely, hyper, NEEDY, loving, gentle, and freshly flea-dipped, female dog named Simba. don't really know much else about her but she adores me & surely that counts for ALOT!! i found her saturday whilst loriloo & i were (unsuccessfully) searching for a farmer's market in the new hood. she was running around w/ no collar & no chaperone. 20 min. later, we saw her again; dodging cars. we squatted down & called her over & she plopped herself down on my lap. she smelled so bad & got all kinds of dirty, stinky, itchy , germy things all over my powder pink shirt. she made me carry her the rest of the way & that was pretty much the beginning of the attachment. i took her home & doggy-proofed my yard (over the course of 48 hot hours) & posted "FOUND!" notices all over the hood. ironically, i found Simba's (very unrightful) former owner who informed me of her Christian name & her history. she had been passed from house to house to house to house & was last living w/ a crack family who care nothing for her (hence her flea infestation & lack of collar - not to mention proper grooming!!). i was given free & clear title to the pup. thus far, i've lost 1/2 day of work & $200+. i still need to have her spayed, vaccinated & God knows what. the toys & treats for dogs are so stinking cute. i have NEVER had a dog (well, i had one for a very brief period when i was young) and would welcome any tips / suggestions / words of advice. dogsitters are also most welcome. : )