Hi! My name's P.C. I'm the new puppy on the block and my Uncle Cecil said I could take over his column. That's real nice of him but I wish I knew what to say.

I'm a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy also, and I'm here because Chris gave me as a birthday present to Stuart. I wasn't sure I wanted to be a present until Chris told me it was okay because I was "pick of the litter." She says that makes it just fine and it makes me pretty special.

Everyone wants to know how it is that I got named P.C. okay, here's what happened. When my littermates and I were just three days old Chris and Stuart came to meet us for the first time. We were brown ovals about the size of your fist with stubby legs and noses and crawling all over each other. Chris asked Stuart what he thought of me and he said, "Why, he looks like an animated potato."

Chris said "great! He's so cute we'll call him 'Potato Cakes.'"

Stuart said "no way. We can't have a 100-pound lion-hunting dog going around named 'Potato Cakes.'" So it was shortened to just P.C., and here I am.

I come to the store each day and help greet the customers. It's really fun to meet everyone. You're all so nice. And, I like to wait for the crates of merchandise to be opened, great smells from all over the world.

I've learned a lot since I've been here. I've learned to keep my feet and tail away from rolling chairs. I've learned how to get people to let me out back (so I don't get spanked for you-know-what). And I've learned the ultimate lesson around a mail-order company: never, never, ever chew on the wires behind the computer.

Well, it's about time for my nap. Come and see me when you get to Southern California.

Keep it waggin'
Your friend,
P.C.