Linda Craig—53 years old

Because my dog, Lex, eats like a horse!! He is a big bull-dog with golden brown eyes that look straight through your soul; especially on the mornings that he wakes from sleeping, trots into the kitchen, and realizes that there is no more dog food in that big plastic container by the door! He will not be pacified with a few slices of toast. His appetite is barely diminished by eating the last of my breakfast, eggs and bacon. I have an hour to get ready for work, no time to run to the store for more dog food. It really was my own fault for forgetting to buy more dog food. Now why don't I start buying two bags at a time? Or three or four? Hmmm....Too bad HE couldn't drive to the store, although he is very talented. He can open any door in the house, beat me to the door anytime the doorbell rings, smell other dogs on my clothes before I get halfway through the door, open the cupboard door and drag out his leash when he wants to go for a walk, and hear our truck coming from a mile away. Living a half a mile away from a fire station gives him plenty of vocal training as he howls in unison with the truck's sirens each time they get a call. But there's an upside to his vocalizing. It keeps him fine-tuned for those lonely nights when my husband is out of town, I've watched a spooky movie and I can still sleep soundly, knowing that Lex will howl the alarm if any car or human comes within his earshot. He makes me feel safe. Clearly he is worth his weight in gold. So as he stares at me with those hungry, mournful eyes I throw on a jacket and run to the car. I can think of something to tell the boss about why I'm late. I assure him that I'll be right back and he lays down in front of the door to patiently wait. He knows who is in control of this house. But, hey, I can live with that.

*Prize awarded as 12 20 lb. bags and 120 13 oz. cans of PEDIGREE® Brand Dog Food and 12 5 oz. bags of PEDIGREE® Brand Good Bites™ Treats.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. CONTEST BEGINS AT 12:00:00AM ET ON 5/1/09 & ENDS AT 11:59:59PM ET ON 7/1/09. For details & entry instructions, see official rules or send a SASE to PEDIGREE® Brand Essay Contest, PO Box 9242, Medford, NY 11763-9242. Individual legal residents of the 50 U.S. states & D.C. who are age 18 as of 5/1/09 are eligible to enter. Additional eligibility & other restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. All federal, state & local rules & regulations apply.