THE SMALLEST STEELER FAN

Like most Steeler fans, I'm looking forward to Sunday's game in Dallas.

But, I'll settle for watching it at a local Irish/English pub with wife and adopted Chihuahua, Bella.

I use the term"adopted" in case she reads this later. She'll do this if I forget to close the office door and turn off the laptop.

The word adopted is also used as you may recall if you've followed this blog for a long time. You may remember the blog where she claimed she was a slave, and demanded reparation as we bought her at the local flea market, The Red Barn.

It's obviously a can of worms I really don't want to open again.

But, that's my curse for us having bought (oops) adopted a Chihuaua who has the power of speech. This occurred when she was struck in the head by a cluster of bottle bush blossums that fell from the back yard tree bearing the same name.

I won't repeat what her first words were.

Anyway, she has turned into one of Bradenton's favorite pets . To more than a few hundred people who frequent animal friendly pubs she's also a big hit.

Folks love to come over to our table and strike up her acquaintance. I like these folks, as - like me- they tend to repeat the same stories over and over again. We've struck up sort of a Bella fan club of our own.

Bella who turns into a erudite 4 year old come May 22 seems to enjoy the company as much as as the fans do. She has a pleasant disposition that amazes most people, and will only bark or growl upon the sight of someone wearing a Patriots cap or an I.C.E tee shirt.

Then she becomes a Tiger instead of a Chihuahua.

Hopefully, there will be no reoccurence of that up at the Pub this Sunday evening.

We find we enjoy watching the Super Bowl with other Steeler fans, particularly when we have an entrant in the contest. Unfortunately, as we are gowing older - our pub attendance with friends will last no longer than the first half - particularly if it's a late afternoon or evening game.

Then we usually retire early to the quiet of our own home and the 52 inch Sony.

Our original plans to watch the game were changed for reasons too complicated to go into here.

I will be watching the game with heightened and mixed emotions as Bella talked me into giving her Green Bay and spotting her 8 POINTS.

What was I thinking?

She may be a small fan - but one who is sneaky quick too.