Her townhouse flooded -- but the things she lost there were just stuff. The 83-year-old Shreveport widow also lost something that can't be replaced: Her miniature poodle, Nigel.

She's desperately trying to find him. The insurance is secondary.

After Erickson became a widow, her dogs became her best friends. Her poodle, Gumbeaux, died two years ago. Nigel disappeared in this week's flood and she's praying the dog is still alive.

"My heart is just broken," Erickson said today. "Anyone who rescued him would not want to give him back. He was that special."

Erickson was at dinner with friends Tuesday night when water began pouring into her South Highlands townhouse. She couldn't get the door open when she got home, so she went to stay with a neighbor. When the neighbor opened the door to get Nigel, the dog bolted out into the flood.

"He was so frightened and confused," Erickson said of the poodle. "We all started looking, yelling, 'Nigel, come home; come home!' A fireman (said) some young lady in her car picked him up out of the water. He was swimming on Fairfield."

Nigel was wearing a yellow collar with orange polka dots but he didn't have his ID tag on. He'd been at the groomer earlier in the day.

"I hope he's with someone who loves him and will care for him," the devastated Erickson said. "I know he wants to be home."

Erickson considers her dog more than just a best friend and near-constant companion. She credits him for helping her stay healthy. They walked at least a mile together every day.

Anyone with information about the dog's whereabouts is asked to call 458-8890.