A post about a dog

About my dog ...

Let me explain a few things first. I've always had a dog. I cannot have a cat due to allergies since I was an infant. I'm not sure I would be a cat person anyway. There's something about the way a dog looks at you when he/she REALLY loves you and REALLY wants you to know it. You just melt. Ammirite???

We had a MinPin. Her name was Minnie (yeah, cute huh? lol). She was almost 16 when she passed from old age in January 2022. You could tell it was coming. Her health had declined in recent years and when November rolled around, I could just tell. I had a conversation with her and told her she could go. Don't stay in this world if it's your time my sweet baby. I said but if you could make it past the holidays, that would be awesome. And she did. She had days where she was her youthful self but others where she just slept all day.

Being on the small side for her breed, she was only 7 pounds anyway. Just a lap critter really. The kids learned to ALWAYS check any blankets laying around before sitting or moving since there tended to be a MinPin burrowed underneath. There were some yelps and barks in her earlier years for sure.

I remember that Saturday. Family had come down to go shopping and I said I just had to stay with her. I knew it was most likely going to be her last day. Or, it was very close and I didn't want to miss a moment with her. When I had to carry her outside and hold her up to go potty, I felt the darkness coming. She had been in diapers for the past few weeks anyway. I gave her a bath after outside and put a fresh diaper on her. She didn't fight me in the bath like she normally did. She didn't fight me when I was putting on the diaper. She laid on her back and let me. I fought back that feeling and the tears and talked to her with love. I wrapped her up and kept her warm and cozy. I held her. I made sure everyone said goodbye to her before they left, especially my son. I didn't know if he would be back before she was gone. I wanted him to talk to her and give her love one last time. My younger child stayed home with her and took her on the bed to pet her as usual. When Minnie started gasping for air, I whisked her away and held her close. I looked her in the eyes and told her how much I loved her and it was ok. She was such a good girl. Her gasping slowed and then it stopped. I just stared at her for a moment and then I realized she was gone. Suddenly the world was emptier. I let everyone know. We buried her that evening. It was unbearable.

It was weeks before I could even talk about her or look at the dozen spots she used to sit or nap or eat or look out the window. In time, peace came again. I could talk about her quirky ways and stubborn habits. Eventually, we would bring up something funny she did, and talking about her seem to cement her place in our family history. She would not be forgotten.

Almost 2 months later, right when I started thinking I could take in another dog, right when I had started looking at the local shelter adoption posts ... this tiny white furry floof abruptly entered our lives. She was found at a local gas station by my son's friend. I said to bring her to us (they already had several dogs) and we'll take care of her until the owner is found. I took her to a local vet, was crushed to learn she had a chip, and said I would keep her until she's reclaimed. Who would abandon this sweet little girl? She was left in a soft-sided crate on a table outside with 2 new toys. I understand she was either upset or trying to catch up with her "owners" that she fell off the table. So sad.

The chip company took my information and said they would make attempts to contact the listed owners but would be able to transfer ownership to me in 2 days. I said ok, let's give it a week, just in case. I posted on local newsgroups and social media groups about this found dog. I would give it my all to find her owners. I know I would be frantic if my dog had gotten separated from me.

After a week, I called the chip company back and said she's mine now. I'm keeping her and gave them all of my information. She was my baby now. It was not easy. She was nervous and scared and most likely given up a few times. She did snap and growl but never at me. The information registered on her chip was from an animal shelter in Virginia. I took her to a vet for a check-up and shots where the vet said she's 9 years old (cloudy eyes, teeth, etc helped her make that estimate). I was sad because I thought she was about 5 and I had more time with her! It didn't matter as we would make the most of our years together.

It's been 8 months! We've had many adventures so far including moving! Most days, she follows me around the house just to keep an eye on me. I joke saying that she thinks I get lost easily and that she's taking care of me now. Haha.

Most stories to come!