3:50 p.m. - GRAFTON (AP) -- When 9-year-old Miranda Smith sings, "I love to live in Dakota," she's thinking of bulletproof vests.

The fourth-grader got the idea to raise money for bulletproof vests for police dogs after hearing about similar projects in other areas. She has two German shepherds, Franky and Bonnie, at home, and her father is in law enforcement.

"Miranda's initial thought was to donate money she's earned to do this," said her mother, Kelly. After more discussion, Miranda decided her songs could help raise money for the vests.

"I wanted to use my voice for a good cause, and I love singing," she said.

Miranda, a member of an area children's choir, has sung the national anthem at University of North Dakota sports events and at other public events, her mother said. She sang in front of Wal-Mart earlier this week, and she is scheduled to sing at Marketplace, a restaurant in Grafton on Friday and at Cabela's in East Grand Forks, Minn., on Saturday.

Donation jars for the fund-raiser have been placed in service stations in the area.

Lesko, a dog at the Grafton Police Department, is the first one Miranda hopes to help through her music.

"It's going to be a good thing for our department," said Grafton Police Chief Paul Stave.

The mellow 120-pound German shepherd has been an essential part of the police force, along with his partner, Officer Todd Lerol, the police chief said.

Stave said Lesko is an asset to the community, but the dog has no bulletproof vest. The costs for training and getting Lesko to Grafton were covered by grants.

Stave said Miranda's effort makes the entire department feel good.

In five days, she raised more than $500 toward Lesko's $900 bulletproof-stabproof vest.

"She is one of those people who truly believes that she can do anything," her mother said.

Miranda doesn't want to stop in Grafton. She wants to see every police dog in the area wearing a bulletproof vest.

"My goal is to make sure all the (police) dogs in North Dakota are vested by 2006," she said.

"For any agency that needs a vest, she would like to help them," her mother said. "If there is any need for equipment for police dogs, we will do our best to help get them money."

Grand Forks police dogs already have vests, said Sgt. Mike Love, of the Grand Forks Police Department.

"But it's a great thing that she is doing," he said. "A great lesson for a 9-year-old -- well, a great lesson for everybody."