Keiko was our second canine family member. She is a full bred Whippet from Ladyhawk Whippets. Her real name is Ladyhawk's Laureen. She was born on June 12, 2001, in Fort Myers, Florida. When we first saw her, we didn't know she would be ours. Her breeder, Peppi Greco, was not even sure she would have a puppy for us. Happily, we were able to add little "Laureen" to our family.

As we already had Kodi at home, Keiko ended up trading one mother for another. Kodi taught her everything she knew; she was a great surrogate mom! Michael used to keep them both in a little play pen area next to him while he was programming at the computer everyday.

When we first took the two of them to our neighborhood "bark park", they absolutely loved it! Keiko is a runner. She is always so excited when we take her to the park. Once you set her free, she is off like a bullet, tagging every dog and human in sight. Her exuberance and beauty are wonderful to see...I can't help but smile when I watch her run laps around the park.

Although Kodi is our first and our sweetest, I call Keiko is our "pretty princess". She is beautiful...and a handful. Whippets are sleek and (usually) small. Our Keiko is a tank - she's all muscle, and she knows how to use it to her advantage. She is also flirtatious and outspoken. We always know when she's irritated about something. She speaks to us, and she chastises her siblings, with her growly voice. It's not a bark, and it's not a growl or a howl. Maybe only a Whippet owner will understand exactly what I'm talking about here.

I have to say that Keiko is really my favorite of our canine children. Shhhh! Don't tell the others. ;-)