A Decade with Dogs

For years I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have my very own dog. I filled my bedroom with many stuffed dogs, dog accessories, and even a purple dog crate to keep them in. I spent many hours on the internet researching breeds that were good for people with allergies. I found the poodle and fell in love with their curly hair.

Today I looked at the calendar and couldn’t believe that it was 10 years ago this past weekend we took a ride out to Mayfield, KY to look at a litter of poodle puppies. I had called a number we found in the paper and the breeder said she only had 2 males left. I hung up the phone and was disappointed as I wanted a little girl. My mom told me to call the breeder back and set up a time to “just go look”. When I walked into the breeder’s home she had a tiny chocolate puppy hanging in a grooming vest and was trimming his feet. At that moment I fell in love with his little chocolate self. Not to mention that he had one white paw which made him even more adorable. I told my mom I wanted him. The breeder had a price of $200 on him (she was going to keep him if he didn’t sell) and my mom said that either I could have the puppy or a Lee Middleton doll I had been wanting as an early birthday present. Well I decided that a puppy would be better than another doll and we came home with a little 12 week old Bobo. Thats where it all began!

When I first got Bobo I was a proud “Dog Owner”. I took care of him…with much help from my mom (Mollie and Bobo’s Grandma) and from Doggy Nanny. Over the years I transformed my life style to become a “Doggie Parent”. I never leave the house without the Doggy Bag, make sure they are fed on schedule (most of the time LOL), are fed a proper diet, have the best vet care, receive their medications, go on walks, have fun adventures, go shopping and most of all live with humans who love them for who they are! My schedule is made around my dogs so they don’t have to be left home alone. My mother (Mollie and Bobo’s Grandmother) and I split the errands that are not doggie friendly (where dogs are not allowed inside) so that one of us is home with them. And ya know what I wouldn’t have it any other way. My time is limited with our dogs and I want to spend as much time with them as I can.

Over the past decade I learned a lot about dogs. Such as how to administer medication, how to hide pills in cheese, how to teach an old dog new tricks, to have my camera handy at all times, how to sew dog dresses, how to make collars, the importance of a good veterinarian, what vaccines dogs need, if you have a well behaved dog you can shop most anywhere with them, free feeding equals free pooping, taking joy in the little things like a walk, the importance of quality kibble, that doggie carseats do save lives, that old dogs rock, and each moment spent with them is precious!

Now I can’t imagine my life without dogs.

We have had our ups and downs but it’s been a blast!

It’s truly a dog’s life and I am living it!

-Katie (the doggie momma)