Miss Nora.

My puppy is the cutest puppy. Hands down. I'm sorry to all of you out there who think that you have a cuter puppy. The fact of the matter is you don't, because she lives with me.

Nora is my companion. She will lick you to death if you give her the chance. It might take her a while though. After all, she's only 3.5 lbs at 4 and a half months old.

I got her when she was a little more than 5 weeks. I realize that in most states, that's illegal but the breeder had already weened her from her mother and I was there and ready to take her home. She was so tiny when I got her. She was just a little bit bigger than my hand. We bonded quickly. She was so young when I got her and I was all she knew. I kept her inside for the first month plus because I was afraid she would get parvo or something outside. Now, she has all of her shots and she's perfectly healthy.

My family has always had dogs. I grew up with all kinds of animals but we always had a dog. I loved all of the animals but I was allergic to most of them, including the canines. So when I was thinking about getting a puppy for myself, I had to do my research and get an allergy-friendly pup. Poodles have hair and not fur so they do not produce as much dander and therefore, do well with people with allergies.

Nora was my saving grace. I could finally have my own puppy and I could pet her and hold her because she didn't make me sneeze. Throughout my childhood, I would pet an animal and immediately go and wash my hands so that I didn't break out in welts or wipe my face and start sneezing. I don't have to do that with Nora. It's hard to appreciate that unless you have allergies.

My Nora is wonderful. She's very personable and friendly. When she barks, she reminds me of those little dogs on movies-- she bounces up and down when she barks. It is a hilarious thing. I smile when I come in the door because I know that Nora is going to be there excited to see me. She will love me no matter what. She couldn't survive without me. She makes my day every day. She licks me awake in the morning to let her outside to go to the bathroom. Although my neighbors may not appreciate my disheveled look, I take her out reminding her all the while that when we get back inside; I really, really want to keep sleeping.

Now, isn't she cute?