Glaccolo (center front), a papillon first featured here in October, was being fostered by the Seshiyama family, which in itself bode auspicious. Charmer that she is, the little dog soon worked her way into the heart and home of Michiko Ota, mother of Reiko Seshiyama.

"She seemed to be saying, 'Please stay with me,' which I found irresistibly cute," says Michiko (pictured with Glaccolo). "I'm not young, so I discussed the issue of age with my family and we decided an adult dog would be preferable to a puppy."

The Otas also have another dog, Olaf, but the extra family member is no burden.