So… I took the plunge today. I’ve been agonizing and thinking and analyzing it from every angle for over a year, and today I’ve finally made a commitment to another living being to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do us part. I never thought this day would come, and I’m excited, and nervous, and scared, but mostly just so, so in love.
Yes, that’s right.
I got a dog.
You: OH MY FREAKING GOD—WHAT????????????
Yeah, that’s right, I went down to the shelter today and met the love of my life. I know I’d said I’d wait until after the holidays, but I’ve been watching the shelter website photos for a couple of months now, and I saw this little girl who was eligible for euthanization on Friday September 2nd, and I just couldn’t stop thinking about her. She’s a border collie mix and was found wandering around a nice neighborhood with a couple of other collie mixes and a spaniel mix. She looks like she’s maybe a year or two old, so she’s out of the puppy stage, but she’s still got a precious puppy face.
When the shelter man brought her out the first dog, it was definitely the wrong one--beige and white, still cute, but definitely not the face I'd memorized. When she finally came out she was terrified and shaking, and didn’t make a peep. She just kept her head down and he dragged her behind him, yelling at her every now and then to come on. I just about jumped out of my skin and had to really restrain myself from knocking his asshat head off. Instead I just crouched down, so that I was still over her, and started petting her and talking to her very softly.
After a while she looked up at me with these sad, soulful eyes and just shot me through the heart "Saaaaaaaaave me, taaaaaaake me"—that’s what she said, I swear it. So, I signed on the dotted line and I pick her up from the vet on Tuesday afternoon—goodbye peace and quiet, goodbye clean excrement-free flooring, goodbye freedom…. Honestly, I feel like I’m having a baby or something. Now I just have to decide on a name… is it ridiculous that that’s what stresses me out the most about this whole situation??
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! She's sooooooooo cute! Congratulations, Angel! And we didn't even throw you a baby shower or anything. Those eyes!!! I'd be stressing about the name too, honestly:) Maybe something chocolate-related...
Posted by: Shani | September 03, 2005 at 01:25 AM
OH MY GOD!!! BELLE IS GONNA BE SOOOO JEALOUS!!! ok, so potential names:
1) Ember (call her Em)
2) One mom and I just came up with but I can't disclose it cuz she wants to tell you herself (but we came up with it together!!!)
3) uh... that's all I got right now! :)
Posted by: Brittany | September 03, 2005 at 02:24 AM
Congrats! She's adorable. Since there was no shower, we can just ship diapers and booties...might help with the excrement-free floor situation?
Posted by: Annie | September 03, 2005 at 07:08 AM
Hmmm...do they make diapers with tail holes?
Posted by: Shani | September 03, 2005 at 07:32 AM
Actually--they do!! She's off getting spayed right now, so she won't need a diaper (ew!!), but they had them at the store, lol ;) And I think I'm not the puppy dog buying expert as in the past two days I have spent about a million dollars on her--she is going to be one spoiled pooch...
Posted by: Angela | September 03, 2005 at 11:20 PM
So, is there a verdict on the name?
Posted by: Shani | September 03, 2005 at 11:41 PM
I think I'm going to continue on with the Tinkerbelle theme and go with Cinderella (rags to riches, plus she's black and "cindery") but I'll call her Ellie. The suggestion was to shorten it to Cinder, but I just think she looks more like an Ellie :)
Posted by: Angela | September 04, 2005 at 12:11 AM
I love the name! You know, I think she has some Labrador in her. Her face looks like it.
Posted by: Shani | September 04, 2005 at 04:11 AM
Oh goodness, she's so precious and so adorable! I'm so excited for you Ang, you get a little companion to keep you warm and cuddly. I say spoil her rotten, I sure would! ;-)
Posted by: Jass | September 04, 2005 at 04:32 AM
ooo!! Mom will be so excited! She was really eager to know if you'd decided. Aren't the two of us just unstoppable when you put us together? Seriously, your puppy would be nameless without us. Oh, and I agree about Ellie--I was talking to Belle and asked her if she was excited about her niece Ellie. Strange coincidence? I think not--I say it's the fates stepping in!! (By the way, Belle looked a bit worried) Oh, and mom has already printed a picture of her out and put it on the fridge with all the other grandbabies! The gerbils might be jealous... wow, ok, long enough for a "reply," maybe I'll just call ya tomorrow! :)
Posted by: Brittany | September 04, 2005 at 06:55 AM
She is absolutely lovely! Oh, what a face!! :) I can tell you are going to be blissfully happy with that one! (And it sounds like she's going to be too - damn spoiled, that is!) LOL
anne
Posted by: anne | September 05, 2005 at 07:23 PM
Oh wow - she is so so cute! Those big eyes and the fluffiness!
I am not at ALL surprised you fell for her. And Ellie is a lovely name for her, as well.
Posted by: Léonie | September 06, 2005 at 06:33 PM