There was an armed burglary in my home five years ago, and I learned so much from that experience.

My husband survived a bullet wound to his chest because of the Blood Bank and The Queen's Medical Center's talented doctors and nurses. Eric is back to riding his motorcycle, taking flying lessons and enjoying life.

The Honolulu Police Department caught the burglar after he fled from our house. City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and his staff sent Miti Maugaotega to jail serving consecutive sentences so he'll be away for a very long time.

We have the utmost respect for paramedics, the Honolulu Police Department, The Queen's Medical Center staff and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. With their assistance, we have put away the bad memories.

While in the hospital with my husband, I asked the police detective, "What can I do to prevent future burglaries?" Our home has been burglarized five times. First it was just jewelry, then it escalated to ransacking the entire house. We didn't have a security alarm at that time so that's what I expected to hear.

The reply: "Get a dog, a really large one."

I couldn't stop smiling when I heard that. Here was my chance to get another dog!

My pug, Ginger, wasn't much of a watchdog. With bad eyes and arthritic joints, this senior dog couldn't do much in scaring burglars away.

Visitors at the hospital chimed in on the subject. "Get a Japanese tosa," a cousin's husband said. "Anyone who sees this dog will run."

"How about a pit bull?" said an auntie.

So what kind of dog did we get?

I waited until Ginger passed away. Because of her age and health issues, I had to think of her first. A new dog in our home would upset her.

She passed away a year later, in July 2004.

It took me until the end of the year to start looking for a dog again. What did I end up with? Zoe! She's a papillon-mix. When I saw her at the Hawaiian Humane Society, I knew she needed me.

My "big dog plan" is still on my to-do list.