Coco is a West Highland white terrier.

Westies, as they are more commonly called, originated in Poltalloch, Scotland, and were bred to have a high prey drive, which Coco has demonstrated quite well. The proof is three dead opossums, according to Kela and Michael Spence, Coco’s humans.

Fortunately, Coco gets along great with the two family cats.

If Coco’s face looks the tiniest bit familiar, you may have seen another Westie while strolling the dog food aisle at Bi-Lo — on a can of Caesar dog food.

They are a very photogenic breed with their bright white coat, their deep-set, almond-shaped dark eyes and small, pointed ears.

Westies are also known for their spunk, determination and devotion. They can be strong willed, but don’t tell Kela. She may argue that point. She says Coco is sweet, protective and smart.

“We only have to tell her once when we need to correct her. She’s the best behaved dog we’ve ever had,” Kela says.

But you can be sure Coco has her share of adventures and misadventures. It’s almost like she and Sunny, the family’s eight-year-old yellow lab, have a secret life. When Coco and Sunny come home all wet and dirt-covered, Kela knows they’ve escaped again and gone next door to her sister-in-law’s for a dip in the pool.

Or if Coco is no where to be found, Kela and Michael have to look no farther than their neighbor’s pasture to find Coco trying desperately to herd cattle.

Coco is always ready to come indoors, where her favorite pastime is chasing Michael around the coffee table and planning tomorrow’s adventures.

Ann Malone is a pet photographer and can't remember a time she did not have pets in her life. Today she has three dogs, three cats and one parrot. She can be reached at annmh@live.com.