Many of you have had the opportunity to meet my new BFF, Arthur. Arthur is a 140 lb. Great Dane who comes to work at The Citizen offices every day, and goes pretty much anywhere else I can get away with taking him.

Arthur came to me through the Pennsylvania Great Dane Rescue organization, which saves Danes who end up in kill shelters and those who have been neglected, abandoned, abused or surrendered by people whose circumstances have taken a turn for the worse, or those who just didn't realize that cute little puppy was going to get "that big."

A dog is a new thing for me. I have had cats for the last 20-some years. Cats just seemed a better fit for the busy lifestyle of my younger years. Cats are a lot less "hands-on" in many ways, much more independent. Although they happily meet me at the door everyday when I get home, they aren't going to have anxiety attacks if I have a long work day.

I am a multi-species animal lover, however, and I got my dog fix walking and playing with my neighbors' canines. I've had several opportunities to adopt dogs in the past, but I was holding out for that one special dog I had wanted all my life.

When I was a child, my family visited relatives in Ohio. That's where I first saw a Great Dane, who to a small child looked like a giant and magical beast. He was like something from a storybook come to life.

So I waited until I was connected with Arthur through the PA Great Dane Rescue. I was more than a bit nervous about bringing a dog into the house. What if the cats hated him? What if he was just too needy or overbearing? How much was my life going to have to change to accommodate this dog?

I was happily surprised at how well Arthur fit in. He's 5 years old and had come from a home in Ohio where he had been left alone far too often. He literally had starved himself down to 104 lbs. in just a couple months. All he wanted was a companion, and a couple hamburgers every now and then.

As dogs go, Arthur is a pretty special guy. He's extremely social with people, kids and other animals. He's housebroken, doesn't chew on anything but his own bones, and has agreed to share the couch with me in the evenings. Great Danes are called "Gentle Giants" for a reason.

I recently received word that other dogs like Arthur are in need of temporary foster homes. So many dogs are coming in that the Dane Rescue people are going to have to start turning them away if they can't be placed, even for a couple weeks, in a foster home.

If you have a spot on your couch, you could help save the life of a beautiful dog. About the only thing you have to worry about is falling in love and not wanting to let your house guest go to another home.

If you can help, visit www.pennsylvania-dane-rescue.org and get all the details on how you can become a foster mom or dad.