As judge for the best trick and costume contest, I was honored to meet Babe at the PetWalk.

Babe, a Chihuahua mix, was born without front legs. She's no bigger than your forearm, weighing only a few pounds, but she has heart and personality as big as a barn. Dressed in her hula girl outfit and hibiscus flower on her head, she awed the crowd as she walked across the stage on her hind legs.

Her owner, Warren Hoopii, said, "She thinks she's a normal dog. She has no idea that she should have four legs." The Hoopiis of East Honolulu also own Babe's parents. Babe was one of three pups born on Oct. 31, 2007.

Everywhere she went, people marveled at this little dog with two stumps where her front legs should be. Babe was unaffected by all the hoopla surrounding her.

What about going to the bathroom? How does she balance? She does her "business" while walking. Babe can do everything that a regular dog does.

She is training to be a therapy dog for Shriner's hospital. Hoopii said, "She's going to give hope to children that have difficulty walking. She's an inspiration. If Babe can do it, they can too."

This dog is a celebrity. She's on YouTube and the producers of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" have invited the Hoopiis to appear on the show.

Thank you, Babe, for showing us that no matter how tough life is, we should never give up hope!

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 18 years, or 126 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs