Doggie Is Westfield's Pet Of The Week

WESTFIELD, NJ — Meet Doggie! She has been chosen as Westfield Patch's Pet Of The Week.

"We live in Westfield and have had her for about 16 years. What makes her so special? Let's start with her name...

Our cat's name is Doggie and the name fits her perfectly.

We rescued Doggie about 16 years ago, right around Thanksgiving. We saw her roaming around several of the backyards in our neighborhood and she ended up in our driveway. Looking scrawny and in need and with no form of identification, we took her in, hoping to find her owner or, at least, a good home, as our kids (very young at the time) were allergic to dog and cat dander.

A couple of trips to the vet, a nice diet and some love and she was looking and feeling better right away. When we couldn't find her owner and a potential home for her fell through, we decided to keep her (and watch out for the kids' allergies) and named her Doggie, because the kids always wanted a dog, but ended up with a cat.

Doggie is senior now, but she is still very active and very friendly. We can have a party with 30 people and she won't hide. Instead, she comes out and sits with complete strangers, waiting (actually, expecting) to be petted. In her younger days, she was a killer, tracking down everything (birds, field mice, chipmunks, rabbits and more) in the backyard. All her "victims" are buried under our holly tree in the front.

As she gets older, she spends more time inside now, but still loves to play with anyone that will give her some attention, playing with string, chasing a laser or just running around after anything she sees as something new. She's also diabetic, requiring insulin twice a day, but she's a champ."

Do you think your pet should be Westfield's Pet of the Week?

Participating in the Pet of the Week happenings is simple: submit your nomination by emailing alexis.tarrazi@patch.com with subject line "Westfield Pet Of The Week." Be sure to include a photograph or two of your pet, a paragraph about what makes him or her so great, and the town you're from.

You can choose to include your name, but you don't need to. Then just keep an eye out for a photo of your pet on the Patch!

The photo can be of a present pet, or it can be a baby picture of the adult pet you're so proud of today.

(Image submitted)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

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