(You can read my biography.)

My name is Dakota Femrite and I was adopted in May of 2000, when I was only 3 months old. In 3 months I had had 5 homes!! It’s not because I was bad, I just had bad luck with people moving, being bitten in the ears by one of my owner’s other dogs, and being put back in a shelter. Luckily I ended up at Pet Harbor Rescue, where my mommy fell in love with me over the phone and rushed down to Petco in Springfield to adopt me! I joined my mommy and daddy and a 10-year-old cat, who has grown to love me despite my playfulness! I think I keep him young. He’s now 15 and going strong! In 2002, my parents brought home a baby from the hospital and I got to greet him in the driveway. Boy, did he smell good! I was always a pretty good watch dog but ever since baby Erik arrived, I really stepped up. I guard the bay window all day to make sure no one unwanted comes by. I really scare the UPS guy! Little does he know I’m just a very gentle 99 lb. giant!

Recently I did something that made my parents very happy. My daddy brought Erik home from preschool (He’s now 3 years old and is my best friend.), and while Daddy was in the bathroom, Erik unlocked the sliding glass door and went out of the house! I knew this didn’t seem right. So I went out, too, and stayed by his side. We walked up the long driveway, down to the end of the cul de sac, where Erik’s 3-year-old friend lived. We walked up to the house, and the father came out and started asking Erik where Mommy and Daddy were. The man realized we were alone and walked us back to our house. I stayed right next to Erik the whole time! When we got back, my daddy was looking all over the yard and woods for us, calling our names. He was so happy to see us!! When my mommy got home, she called the locksmith so I wouldn’t have to keep taking these walks with Erik. She kept calling me a hero and “Lassie.” I didn’t know what that meant, but I knew they were proud of me for protecting Erik. I was just doing my job but I did enjoy an extra treat that night! I love my 6th and final home!!!

- Dakota Femrite