NAME: Keegan Ellis

NICKNAME: Piglet

OWNER: Christine

HOME: Highlandtown

HOW THEY MET: When Chris lived in Southern California with friends who had dogs, she decided she was ready to take the plunge. Having grown up with a Westie there was no question of what kind of dog. She found a breeder and drove the two hours to pick him up. Keegan was the runt of the litter and so small the breeder brought him out sitting on one hand. His ears were, and still are, huge. On the way home he peed in Chris' lap, then lay down and slept the rest of the way. That night he slept curled around her head and gave her fleas.

AGE: 16

BREED: West Highland White Terrier

FAVORITE FOOD: Cheese, hands down. Sometimes Chris thinks Keegan thinks his name is cheese. He loves all kinds -- fancy French, rubbery American slices, shredded Taco or Italian mix. Cheese is the magic treat that gets Chris and Keegan through dog baths, shots at the vet and long car rides. If you have cheese, you are all right in Keegan's book. Runner-up is baby carrots. Apparently he has a thing for orange food.

BEST TRICK: Getting Chris to play with the current favorite toy every morning even if she's late for work. While she's getting ready, Keegan will choose a toy and walk casually by the bathroom or bedroom door over and over as if to say, 'Oh this? It's nothing. Don't mind me. I know you're busy.' It works every time. You just don't say no to a 16-year-old Westie!

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Guarding the house. Keegan spends all day at the window on his cushion, watching out for unauthorized walking past or parking near the house. Children playing with a ball are his favorite transgressors. He barks like mad to issue his citation, sometimes running around the house for emphasis, and people usually move along. Chris swears this job is what's keeping him alive and she makes sure to thank him often. Besides that, he enjoys his daily walk in Patterson Park where he greets his many girlfriends and catches up on pee-mail.

FAVORITE SPORT: Rat-watching. Westies are ratters. In his youth, Keegan caught 3, after sitting outside for hours each evening. Now that he and Chris are in a house with a yard again, he has taken up the pastime again. Rest assured Keegan is doing what he can to clear up the rat problem in Baltimore City.

IF KEEGAN HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Cheese. It keeps you young.

Photo by Christine

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