It all started when I fell in love with Einstein—the genetically altered Golden Retriever featured in Dean Koontz's "Watchers."

As I spent my evenings turning the pages of this compelling thriller, the brilliant and compassionate canine earned a special place in my heart. It was one thing the book's opening took place in my neighborhood, causing me to feel like a character in the novel. But because of Koontz's descriptive narrative, I felt as if I knew the mastermind pooch and in the end, became attached.

When I finished reading "Watchers," I cried. Not just because of the emotionally driven ending but because I realized my time with Einstein was over.

It was then I woke up to how lonely I was. Despondent from major changes I was experiencing at the time, I was unable to relate to the people in my life. I wasn't ready for a romantic relationship but craved innocent physical affection and a loving confidant.

Several days later, I went to the county pound. I'd prayed to meet a dog as personable as Einstein and as intelligent as a dog could be—sans the genetic treatment. While my first choice was a one-year-old Lhasa Apso, I didn't have the funds needed to adopt him that day.

Two days later, a check came in the mail. Eager to adopt the Lhasa, I went to the pound. But when I arrived, he wasn't in his kennel. He was in surgery to be neutered and wasn't available for adoption. So I decided to let go of my expectations and look at other dogs.

Yelping at me from a kennel adjacent to "big dogs," was an overweight, cream and reddish-brown pooch with butterfly ears and adorable markings. I hadn't planned to stop but a strong intuition made me do otherwise.

Upon reading his biography posted on the gate, I learned the sweet furry yelper was a 6-year-old Papillon-mix named Latte. His previous owners, senior citizens who were no longer able to take care of him, surrendered him to the pound just days before. He was already neutered and micro-chipped and ready to take home. After a short visit, I knew Latte was adopting me.

It's been almost four months since that day. Latte has since become my best friend, a loving and protective pet and, in many ways, my surrogate child. While it's caninely impossible for him to converse with me using Scrabble tiles—like the fictional protagonist who inspired the adoption—he's as intelligent as any real dog can be. Alert and obedient, Latte makes life easy and pleasurable, especially for

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