We found Rosco on TX-71 a few miles from La Grange. We were going about 70 miles an hour, it was a rainy morning last week of Sept. and I wasn't sure what it was that I had seen. I hoped it was not a dog, I have seen too many dead on Texas highways. So we took the next U-turn and turned back.

It was a dog! and for some reason he was crouched in the grass about 10 feet from the shoulder of the road. We didn't want to scare him onto the highway so I pulled up about 50 yards away and approached him very slowly. He had no collar and he was waiting for somebody, very probably the people (and I wish recurring bouts of stomach flu on them) who had dropped him off at the same spot some hours back. We spent a few minutes feeding him part of our breakfast. He spent the rest of the day with us in the cab of our truck.

It was a Saturday and we couldn't get him to the vet till Monday. We wondered what could make somebody give up a lovable, good tempered dog like this. He got along fine with both of our dogs (even bossy Bert who at age six seems to be experiencing some sort of second adolescence). He turned out to be heartworm positive. Since then Rosco has been treated for heartworm (some of our friends chipped in to pay for the treatment).

He is a really wonderful dog. He really has no negative or `bothersome' qualities. He is extremely friendly, but obsesses a bit about squirrels and birds. But this obsession goes no farther than waiting at the base of the tree in quivering anticipation. He is also very smart and eager to please.

Well, here is a little more about him. He is 40 lbs, neutered and a rich brown and black. The closest breed I can think of is Australian Shepherd. The vet estimates that he is about a year and a half old.

We want to find a home for him, but not just any home. We have had some enquiries from that peculiar group of dog owners who believe that pets belong in the backyard with pots and plants, to be `watered' and fed and grudgingly allowed indoors during freezes and such.

So, if you are looking for an indoor dog and/or already have a nice happy dog to present as evidence of your dog-worthiness, please contact namla@cs.utexas.edu or call us at 451-4557.

After six months, Rosco was adopted by my sister and is now a very happy and healthy boy.