Ode to Nicki

With Valentines Day around the corner, I started thinking about how some of us fall in love with our pets. It's a weird thing but I think this chemistry exists. One of my clients who recently lost her dog has been looking at some of the homeless pet websites. She even went to a shelter to meet some puppies. She said they were adorable, and sweet but she just didn't feel that any one of them "spoke" to her. She left and didn't feel bad that she didn't take one home. That conversation got me thinking. There IS something that happens when you meet "the one". Most of the animals I have shared my life with have either just shown up or had some urgent problem and ended up mine. The one dog that I did go out and purposely get only had a short list of requirements. Under 20 lbs. (check) healthy (check) cute (double check). Nicki had been found wandering the streets. She was picked up and brought to the Friends of Fairmont Animal Shelter. I was told that I would need to wait the required 7 days before she could be placed. It turned out, I wasn't the only one that was smitten with that little terrier face. There was a list of 10 people before me that wanted her. I added my name never thinking it would happen. I shopped for treats, beds, collars without buying anything because I just knew that the first person on her list of admirers would be the lucky new "parent". Imagine my surprise when I got the call! All 10 of the previous people flaked. Nicki was to be mine! I was so excited. I raced over to get her. We went shopping, we went to Pt Isabel we had a great "welcome to your new home" party. She seemed happy at first but after a couple of weeks, I realized something was wrong. She didn't connect with me! The problem was, she LOVED men. Believe me when I say she had no discretionary taste. She just loved men. Ted Bundy, Charles Manson - it didn't matter . She just had a thing for the guys. Don't get me wrong, she liked me - but she LOVED men. I had a hard time with it for a while but I finally accepted it and learned to be second to whatever guy happened to be in a 5 mile radius. I guess that unrequited love made me want her heart all the more. We had a long and happy life together but even in her final days she found comfort in my brothers arms. I was so thankful he was there for her. It feels sad to write this but I know in my heart of hearts that it was a good life for us both. So no matter what fur ball you are sharing your life with right now, Give them an extra treat and love this Valentines Day. It may not be perfect but it is true and you gotta love them for that!

The Look of Love

I have attempted to play cupid throughout the years without much luck. The friends that are still speaking to me will agree that I am not very good at it. My lack of matchmaking skills apparently spill over into the animal kingdom as well. When a new pup joins our group, I always think "I can't wait for "x" to meet "y". They are going to love each other"! Most of the time I am wrong.

A perfect example is Lola. A beautiful weimaraner with long legs and neurosis to match. I had her pegged for Apricot. A handsome golden retriever with the disposition of a southern gentleman. Nothing got under his skin. But no, Lola fell for Rico. A pit/shepard mix from the wrong side of the tracks. He growled, she snarled they were in love!

Another miss was Archie. He's a very big flirt in a jack russell body. I knew he was going to love Cici, a black cocker with eyelashes so long they should be illegal. Wrong again. Archie's first love was a blond vizsla/lab mix named Lexie. Unfortunately Lexie traded love for a career (she does search and rescue of tennis balls ). Archie's current object of affection is an older woman named Cokie. She's a stinky basset with an attitude that rivals any diva! They are still an item.

Then there is Rita and Sammy. I can't imagine those two any other way. Rita snorts, Sammy skips. They are storybook cute with a love affair straight out of a Disney movie. They are currently living together and probably in some adorable cuddle pose as I write.
Next but not least is Dexter. He is the player of the group. He looked so cute with Tala the English Shepard but he's one of those guys that can't be tied down. He loves the girls AND the boys.....Who knew?

With love in the air, I guess it's best I give Cupid back his bow and arrow. If you are out there looking for love maybe it's best to follow the lead of our furry friends. Just close your eyes and let that arrow fly. You never know what might happen. Hopefully it won't land on a stinky basset!

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!