We occasionally came across retired military personnel walking schnauzers in the ravine, decades ago. They'd been assigned to Canadian military bases in Germany and brought back their family pets. We found the schnauzers to be pretty void of personality, not much interested in anything, and anything but lively. And usually kept on leash for fear they would wander off and not return.

We knew, because we'd taken out health insurance for our two little poodles that there was a premium levied in monthly insurance payments for some dogs, and the schnauzer brand was among them, susceptible to all kinds of physical ailments. Eventually, the earlier schnauzers we would come across reached their lifespan, an early one, in fact. One man we knew, on his second schnauzer, was coping with caring for the poor thing which had contracted diabetes.

And then, suddenly, we saw no more schnauzers being walked in the forest; gone, their numbers exhausted -- not that they were so numerous, to begin with. They seemed inoffensively ghostlike, nothing distinguishing them as far as personality, just ambling along with their human companions; perhaps their undemanding-for-attention propensity was what attracted people to them, who knows?

Kira was different. She was the runt of her litter, born with a breeder in Canada, and she distinguished herself by the force of her character. Truly one-of-a-kind. Where others were unremarkable, she most certainly wasn't. Kira was universally admired, as a spunky, active little dog who endeared herself to everyone. Kira on a leash? Not likely. She wanted to take her tennis ball everywhere with her, roll it down hills, romp after it excitedly, then repeat when she 'caught' it and returned it uphill.

You knew when Kira was nearby even if you hadn't yet seen her. She never barked. She had, instead, an exhilarated, high-pitched yip, that could be heard long before she hove into view. And she was always pleased and excited to see people and dogs she recognized; they returned the compliment.

She was much smaller than most miniature schnauzers, just cute as a button. It hasn't been that long since old age took its toll, so she's no longer around, and missed by everyone.

A week ago we met a three-and-a-half-month-old schnauzer. This was Tim-Bit, an adorable bit of fluff who looks as though he'll not be much larger than Kira was. And his personality? There in spades. Curious, friendly, happy-go-lucky and eager to play, play, play, as most puppies are. If there's anything in return to life after death, perhaps time will tell whether Tim-Bit is Kira's successor-presence....