My dog's name was Lisa. An unusual name, I know, but I was 5 years old and I just thought it was pretty:) My parents tried to persuade me to go with a more conventional dog's name and they were also hoping to avoid any confusion since our neighbor's daughter was named Lisa, but I was determined.

Lisa was a good ol' mutt. She had the features and markings of a classic Jack Russell Terrier, but was larger, more like the size of a beagle. Her tail was longer than a Jack Russell's too.

She was a wild, willful dog with an intense prey drive. She was always bringing us 'gifts' and was an incorrigible car chaser. My father joked that she must be part 'wild African dog'.

Lisa was our fierce defender, protecting us from the mailman, meter readers, and anyone who dared set foot on the property without permission.
She also was a dear friend who came into our lives after the tragic loss of my older brother.

Sadly, when leash laws came into effect, our suburban yard was too small to contain her big spirit and boundless energy. My parents explained that they'd found a new home for Lisa with a family who had a large parcel of land. I was of course heartbroken, but I knew they were right. It was a lesson in unselfish love.

Lisa adjusted well to her new family and finished out her days a happy, 'free-range' dog.

Sorry I don't have a photo scanned into the computer---I know I have some in a box somewhere==If I can locate, I'll upload.