All my life, growing up, I wanted a dog. Sure, I had a dog... Our family Jack Russel Terrier, Rusty. He was always a great little dog, but made himself my Mom's companion. I wanted my own dog; one that would follow me around, sleep on the end of my bed, and be my own, personal canine companion.
However, there was one minor, major problem with that. My Parents said "NO!" They never were one for family pets and were good to put up with the several we'd talked them into up to that point. A second dog was out of the question, and the rule was that I was to wait until I had a place of my own.
I didn't listen. And THAT was the one thing I've felt worst about all my years.
I would often look at the puppies on KSL, and find ones that seemed like a good fit, but never good enough to get on my parents' bad side. That was until I came across this ad:
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| Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler Puppies. 80 dollars. Herriman, Utah. |
My heart throbbed at that adorable little puppy face. That's when I knew that this was the one.
The next day I hopped in my car, drove out to Herriman, met with the lady, and held this little black puppy in my hands. He looked at me. I looked at him. "I'll take him!" And with that, I was passing her 80 dollars in cash, and driving away with my new little adventure. I was happy, but also terrified. My heart sunk at what I had just done, and I knew my parents would disapprove.
I considered the idea of hiding him, and seeing how long that would last. However, I tend to not hold my guilt well, and decided it'd be best if they knew from the beginning. So I called my Mom as I stood outside petsmart, holding my new puppy. I told her I'd gotten a dog, and the disappointment in her voice broke my heart. After calling my Dad, she called me back and reminded me of our deal that I was to not get a puppy until I moved out, and since I'd did things backwards... I'd better find a place of my own.
It sounds a little rough as I type it out, but I do not blame them for their stern attitude towards me. I had disobeyed them. And I knew I'd done something terribly wrong.
I remember crying, holding onto this little dog, rummaging through petsmart when an employee came up to me, asking me if I needed any help, and through my ugly cry, I replied with "I JUST NEED SOME PUPPY CHOW! OK?!"
Our beginning was rocky, to say the least. My 8 week old puppy and I moved in with my Aunt, bless her heart, and struggled to figure out what we'd do next. Several of my family and friends approached me to take the dog back, or take him to the humane society, but I had become extremely stubborn and refused to do so. Somehow, I knew we'd make it work.
Bit by bit, day by day, things got a little better. I would arrange to go up to my house and talk to my parents, which usually were very spirited and emotional conversations. With a lot of discussion, regarding my actions, I was able to live at home again. With my puppy.
Things were still pretty rough as I got a wake up call as to what it means to have a puppy. Waking up several times a night, potty training, and more. The dark cloud over me and folks didn't help.
By this point i'd decided to name him Tip, and I chose this name for a couple reasons. 1) I thought it would fit because he had the cutest white TIPS on his paws (which he has since grown out of) and 2) Growing up, my Grandpa Loock's favorite dog on the farm was named Tip, and he would often tell me stories of him. Who knew dog names could be generational.
I read that puppies, when first taken away from their mom and siblings, would often miss them, and that would be a big reason of their whining. When Tip would cry for his Mom, or so I decided, I would hold him in my lap, and let him suck on my finger until he would fall asleep. I loved that.
I think that was probably when I truly become a crazy dog woman. He had basically become my child. And, what do you know, he had been adopted by me, just as I had been by my parents! We were practically soul mates...
Tip grew quickly, and our bond even quicker. I began to get on good terms with my parents, and even caught them playing with the puppy more than they'd like to admit. I finally had MY DOG. He was all mine. I couldn't have picked a better, more loyal, more playful companion.
That was a long story. The story is continuing on, but I wanted to share our start. Now, for my take on it all.
I was a naughty girl. I did a bad thing by going behind my parents' back and buying a puppy they told me not to get. If I could do it over again, would I? Probably not, because I still, to this day, recall the disappointment that hung over me. However, do I regret doing it? No. And this is why...
The next day I hopped in my car, drove out to Herriman, met with the lady, and held this little black puppy in my hands. He looked at me. I looked at him. "I'll take him!" And with that, I was passing her 80 dollars in cash, and driving away with my new little adventure. I was happy, but also terrified. My heart sunk at what I had just done, and I knew my parents would disapprove.
I considered the idea of hiding him, and seeing how long that would last. However, I tend to not hold my guilt well, and decided it'd be best if they knew from the beginning. So I called my Mom as I stood outside petsmart, holding my new puppy. I told her I'd gotten a dog, and the disappointment in her voice broke my heart. After calling my Dad, she called me back and reminded me of our deal that I was to not get a puppy until I moved out, and since I'd did things backwards... I'd better find a place of my own.
It sounds a little rough as I type it out, but I do not blame them for their stern attitude towards me. I had disobeyed them. And I knew I'd done something terribly wrong.
I remember crying, holding onto this little dog, rummaging through petsmart when an employee came up to me, asking me if I needed any help, and through my ugly cry, I replied with "I JUST NEED SOME PUPPY CHOW! OK?!"
Our beginning was rocky, to say the least. My 8 week old puppy and I moved in with my Aunt, bless her heart, and struggled to figure out what we'd do next. Several of my family and friends approached me to take the dog back, or take him to the humane society, but I had become extremely stubborn and refused to do so. Somehow, I knew we'd make it work.
Bit by bit, day by day, things got a little better. I would arrange to go up to my house and talk to my parents, which usually were very spirited and emotional conversations. With a lot of discussion, regarding my actions, I was able to live at home again. With my puppy.
Things were still pretty rough as I got a wake up call as to what it means to have a puppy. Waking up several times a night, potty training, and more. The dark cloud over me and folks didn't help.
By this point i'd decided to name him Tip, and I chose this name for a couple reasons. 1) I thought it would fit because he had the cutest white TIPS on his paws (which he has since grown out of) and 2) Growing up, my Grandpa Loock's favorite dog on the farm was named Tip, and he would often tell me stories of him. Who knew dog names could be generational.
I read that puppies, when first taken away from their mom and siblings, would often miss them, and that would be a big reason of their whining. When Tip would cry for his Mom, or so I decided, I would hold him in my lap, and let him suck on my finger until he would fall asleep. I loved that.
I think that was probably when I truly become a crazy dog woman. He had basically become my child. And, what do you know, he had been adopted by me, just as I had been by my parents! We were practically soul mates...
Tip grew quickly, and our bond even quicker. I began to get on good terms with my parents, and even caught them playing with the puppy more than they'd like to admit. I finally had MY DOG. He was all mine. I couldn't have picked a better, more loyal, more playful companion.
That was a long story. The story is continuing on, but I wanted to share our start. Now, for my take on it all.
I was a naughty girl. I did a bad thing by going behind my parents' back and buying a puppy they told me not to get. If I could do it over again, would I? Probably not, because I still, to this day, recall the disappointment that hung over me. However, do I regret doing it? No. And this is why...
Tip saved me. I know it sounds cliche, and I know that there are plenty of people who will make fun of me for saying that, but it's true. I would say i'm not one who easily rides along with change, which makes things difficult since there has been an AMPLE amount of change in my life the past 3 years. Tip was the constant. He stood by me as, one by one, my friends moved away. He supported me as I met my biological parents. He let me cry in his fur as the days of depression struck hard. We've run together, played ball together, hiked together, swam together, and grown up together. I can't imagine life with out my best friend/child/companion/therapist/exercise buddy/ everything but JUST a dog.
Although I've always been an animal lover, Tip is the mutt that turned me into a crazy dog woman, and I am sorry to those who have endured us... we seriously are disgustingly adorable together.
There were days he was what I lived for... because, who would take care of the mutt if I were gone? I wish everyone had a howling greeting when they come home, a dropped tennis ball on your face, a wuss who hides behind you, soaking wet clothes near any body of water, and the ultimate feeling of unconditional love as I do. What a character!
He's more than just a dog. I'm more than just a dog owner. And that's just our little-long story.
Although I've always been an animal lover, Tip is the mutt that turned me into a crazy dog woman, and I am sorry to those who have endured us... we seriously are disgustingly adorable together.
There were days he was what I lived for... because, who would take care of the mutt if I were gone? I wish everyone had a howling greeting when they come home, a dropped tennis ball on your face, a wuss who hides behind you, soaking wet clothes near any body of water, and the ultimate feeling of unconditional love as I do. What a character!
He's more than just a dog. I'm more than just a dog owner. And that's just our little-long story.
Admit it. We're adorable.
I'll admit it for you, you two are pretty much adorable. :)
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