My little dog, my forever boy...
I once had a fluffy little puppy.
I had gotten it from my cool farmer aunt. Timeframe, probably 12 or so years ago, I can't pinpoint it on the dot.
It was my first ever puppy so I was ecstatic but also afraid that I could be bitten by the dog or somebody else so naturally as a child would, I acted different.
Little did I know that that furry little fella would become my most cutest most playful ever furry little friend. A buddy I would often come around to play with but my bestie at the time I never did that well. Why so? You ask. Because I was a shy kid who never really talked much, I was shy and timid. That was me then.
Anyway, moving on and back to the point, I gained a loyal companion with eyes so bright. A tiny little chestnut I'd become concerned with most days and most nights. It's been a while now, years I mean, but I still recall its name, Sonic based on the well-known cartoon.
With a wag of its tail, it made my heart sing a thousand merry little tunes. But I suppose that's the way it goes when you love something, ain't it? That's how you do.
It carried a coat of brown so deep, soft and fluffy also like a pillow to sleep.
Its playful antics brought me so much joy like when it would chase its own tail and gleefully run around. Who knew that I could carry such a wide smile -
it must have been its cute little face, full of innocence and charm.
One time it fell asleep, while play-biting one of my dad's shoe.
It made me laugh, and my heart grew more and more fond.
For in that moment, I saw pure bliss. It reminded me of a baby that knows not what joy it brings. To the one who owns it, comfort and happiness; from it you receive unconditional love.
I thought so this must be the kind of things dog-owners ramble on about.
Though we walk not together anymore for its life on this plane is gone; that night as I saw it lying there life-less on the ground,
I ran to my parents' room where my tears did shed. I was saddened that night as I sat crying on their bed.
That was a single part of the story, its death, but the brighter segments are more present in my heart still. It was a wonderful dog and though it never got to grow older because sickness consumed it early on, it was my lovely forever first and last puppy who has a place in my heart.
Bio of my Bestie
Meet Finnola, who prefers Nola and is formally known as Pixie, a mishmash of Jack Russell, Chihuahua and mystery dog. She doesn't like to reveal her age, but hints at being in the seven to eight year old range. Her talents include springing straight up and down like a pogo stick while her meals are prepared. Nola excels at ripping apart stuffies to remove the squeaker. Her record is two minutes. She is health conscious and prefers to snack on cucumbers, strawberries and raw goat milk. The girl can run!
Before joining her forever family, Nola lived on the streets of Philadelphia. Her torn hear is a reminder of that past life. She passed time in a shelter and an abusive house. These hardships took a toll on her mentally and physically. She was scared and wary of people. She has overcome many of these obstacles through her mom's compassion and patience. Her trust level has grown and her fears have diminished. Nola remains cautious, but has learned to enjoy life and accept love.
When Nola is not begging for food or destroying toys, she can be found playing shadow pup with her favorite person. She enjoys a good round of roughhousing with her stepsister dog Jozie. Nola's favorite hangout is hiking on her family's mountain property. She sticks her nose in any and every hole she finds and wades in the shallow creek. She has a strong bond with her mom built on love, trust and consistency.
Mara
We got her just on time,
Our cute, tiny and loud girl.
It was in 2017, we lost our uncle,
we won her.
She makes waking up more hopeful,
she makes our days more fun,
she likes Doritos and tangerines.
She barely sleeps,
always alert. I don't know why,
we are safe. Our floor is covered by her toys.
Stuffed, high pitch ones, a Teddy bear.
We recently changed the mattress. It made our bed taller,
and now we need to help her come up.
She does not try. But, when she forgets, and is very excited,
she just jumps, by herself. Naughty, our baby, the littlest of 5 siblings.
Golden
I got a golden retriever puppy about four months ago, or at least I thought I did. I know, I know, "adopt don't shop," and everything. But have you seen golden retriever puppies?
After having her for this long, I'm not entirely sure I got a dog. Maybe they gave me something like a shark or a dinosaur. My arms are covered in scratches, my furniture is covered in bite marks, and my floors are covered in fur.
But her face. Her little face. With her long tongue and her oversized ears (which are the softest things I've ever felt). She has these big eyes that can make you melt.
So I forgive the wounds and the destroyed house. Scratches can heal, furniture can be fixed, floors can be vacuumed.
I will say, though, golden retrievers are very well named. They do, in fact, retrieve. They retrieve sticks from the yard, leaves from the bushes, even dirt from the flower pots! They will retrieve all of these things and give them to you as a present! How sweet!
Descendants of Wolves
I impulsively brought Yoda home when I saw him getting bullied by his littermates at a Humane Society/Petco event. All I wanted was some cat food. Spike, soon to be Yoda, was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. He's 13 now with classic Chihuahua rot mouth; the essence of haunted aquarium, yesterday's fish, marinating in a barrel. When he was a puppy, he ate a stranger's used tampon out of a trash can at a job sight. Dutifully, I reached down his throat to pull it out as he was suffocating, warm strawberry soft serve. I had to take a scalding rape shower. He also ate 2, gigantic 80% cocao chocolate bars out of a friend's purse and lived to tell the story. I dress him up like John Waters sometimes because of the striking resemblance; especially with an ascot and pencil mustache, it really pops. He loves cheese, car rides and soft blankets. I want to get a Golden Retriever but Yoda has yet to fully forgive me for bringing Conan home. He's a good boy so I'll spare him the trauma of raising another puppy.
Conan tolerates car rides because he lives for adventure but is terrified of looking out the window when the car is moving so he keeps low. He's the spawn of my mother's bougie Coton De Tulear. I was there for the birth and was the first human to touch him. He looked like an itty bitty piglet. Ever since his eyes opened he's been obsessed with me. I had to take him home because I knew that, by the way he looked at me, nothing else would ever love me like that. Due to experiencing pup-hood in the woke wasteland of Washington State at the peak of Rona, where asshats were wearing 2 masks alone in their cars and crossing the street to avoid us, he's leary of strangers. We make a good team because humans make me uncomfortable too. It's why we moved to the country. But I digress. His favorite words are, "load up," "walk" and "cookie". On death row, his last meal would likely be a hash of cat litter, soiled paper towels and turkey.
Houston
I swore after losing my two German Shepherds, Sam and Brandy within eleven months of each other, that I could never ever go through that deep pain again. They had long blessed lives where they loved large and knew that they were loved. One day it just hit me, why would you not want the blessing of a dog in your life? Life is short and filled with so many trials...We hear constant chants of "live your best life." How could I possibly do that without the joy of a dog?
I met my girl, Houston, when she was four weeks old and picked her up at 8 weeks. She is beautiful, bright and simply a joy. She is well behaved, and yes, she would protect me with all her might. She has blessed me in so many ways that I just can't begin to tell you. I truly don't know what I would do without this precious being.
A dog is simply one amazing heart who loves you unconditionally during your good days and bad days. No matter what kind of day you had - they make it better. These darlins' are always happy to see you, and they celebrate you every time they look at you. Talk about your ride or die true blue companion - it just doesn't get any better. She goes to doggie daycare.... and yep, I didn't see that one coming, but while I am at school she can run and play with her buds. We are living our best lives...
Today, my girl Houston is celebrating her second birthday! I give thanks daily to share this life with her. Hug a dog - it is good for your soul. Say a prayer for those dogs, cats, and all animals waiting for their forever family.
Kara
He was cradled in my husband's arms when I came home from work that day.
"Oooh [cooing sounds]! How cute! Whose puppy?"
My husband looked at me through long lashes with a tentative smile and said, "Ours."
Which led to our last screaming argument, his leaving the house to cool off and a few weeks of simmering. I have severe allergies and would become the de facto caretaker even if my husband claimed he would take care of him, so, I was not thrilled.
The puppy stayed. We named him Kara, which means black in Turkish. My husband had found him in a auto mechanic shop being abused by the pitbull daddy - apparently because he looked more like his Rottweiler mum. He was covered in oil and being pushed away from his mother's milk repeatedly. So, my husband felt compelled to save him. He wrapped him in a towel and brought him home.
He threw up oil all over the backseat during the drive. My husband bathed him until the water ran clear and Kara was the beautiful black and brown puppy I found in my husband's arms.
How could I banish him after hearing his story?
My only condition was that he had to be a sweet dog. All the stories of violent Pitbulls had me very concerned since our son was five at the time. (And overjoyed to have a puppy as you can imagine.)
I needn't have worried. Kara was the sweetest dog you've ever met. He almost never barked so if he did, you knew something was wrong. He loved people and only ever barked at two: and they deserved it. One was the contractor who took our money and ran.
Kara was so smart. Regardless of which bus my husband took home from work, he could feel him coming and would go wait in the corner of the garden a few minutes before the bus came. Then he would run the whole length of the garden as my husband walked up the street. He would wait on the front lawn, sitting yet tail wagging, with barely contained excitement.
He wasn't allowed on the furniture, but often, towards the end of his life, I would come home and find him curled on the couch or the recliner. He'd look up so happy to see me, then remember, uh oh, I'm not supposed to be here. Slowly, he would get down, tail between his legs and go to one of his doggie beds as I tried to keep a straight face.
He brightened our lives for ten years.
Everest
Miss Everest. Every bit as gorgeous and regal as she sounds. Piercing sky blue eyes, fluffy grey white fur, she is the epitome of elegance. She is... Majestic, classy, a model dog.
Ok, ok, now that I have died laughing, let's get serious here. Everest is an annoying, too smart for her own good, hairy beast, but she is my baby. This big mountain of fluff is the most lovable goofball you will ever meet... If she doesn't knock you off a cliff first because she's excited.
Fences? Psst, no match for this girl. She is a master jumper.
Singing? OH MY GOD, fantastic. She absolutely loves to sing the songs of her wolf ancestors.. all through the night.
Water or snow? She could play in there for hours.
Do we know manners? Oh of course.
Do we choose to listen? Hahaha no.
Miss Everest is all about that husky glitter and loves to leave her mark everywhere. Clothes, hands, your face, your food. I'm pretty sure I've inhaled enough I'll be coughing up a hairball soon but I wouldn't trade the silly fluff for anything.
A little more about her. She is a one and a half year old malamute husky mix who I rescued from the animal shelter as a puppy. She is the sassiest, most in your face dog at times and a complete, fall at your feet for belly rubs, teddy bear at other.
-AJ
Hund
Hund. Son of Dog. First of his name.
Thicc boi. In neck, in body, in mind.
Wants to fetch stick. But won't bring it back
Thinks there is endless supply of sticks.
What is personal space? Something for lesser dogs
Everything is a seat for Hund
Feet, lap, couch, car, table, shoes.
Sporty guy. Loves to run, loves to swim
Loves to hunt rats in the kiwi vines
For the sport and also his human's 'GOOD BOY!'
Best friend is Luna. Brown Kelpie with underbite
She's cute and loves to wrestle and swim in waterhole.
Life on the farm is full of adventure
So many things to bark at - Hund is a big security boy
Human doesn't always appreciate high level of security
This bamboozles Hund.
Likes to jump. In human's arms, back of ute
Will climb avocado tree, 'cos that makes human laugh
Rides in car are fun. The vet is not fun.
Please no more vet for Hund.
Favourite thing is barbeques
And parties. And sticks. And pats. And swims in waterhole.
And running. And bones. And dinner. And cuddles.
And chasing the car. Or tractor. Or motorbike
So many favourite things. Life is good.