It's not an un-normal want, in fact it's one thing that almost every girl wants. A dog. I will tell you my story of how I lived through this want my whole life and then how I finally made a breakthrough.
I have wanted a dog since I was about six years old, maybe earlier if you count me staring at a flash card, pointing, and saying "dawg". It was the simple need for a companion that could go everywhere with you. Not be let free in the house and poo everywhere without a care like a guinea pig. Or go outside, run away and not come back for five days like a cat. No, I needed a dog.
At the age of 10, I owned a book that weighed about 3 pounds (maybe more) called "The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds and Dog Care". It was chock full of facts and breeds and Everything about dogs. I sat down every day and intently read that book minute after minute.
After getting that book I knew I had to use it to find a breed. We went through millions and millions of breeds, Norwegian Buhund, Shiba Inu, Basenji, Whippet, Whatever. Every time the outcome would be, "no- that dog sheds" or maybe, "that's ugly", "that's way too big", "you're not ready for this kind of animal". Oh yeah, I heard that last one A LOT! I was told I would have to prove myself through other animals but what would that do? Soon I just about gave up. But I always held my book by my side.
When I was 11, I found my true passion for walking dogs. I loved it so much I wanted to start a business, but guess what: It failed. All the lazy folk on my street just let their dogs out and assumed that the dogs were getting some activity when really they would lie in the shade or wreak havoc like swimming on a nice hot day... in the neighbor's pond! Yes, it was our pond, of course.
My next attempt of doing something with dogs was to volunteer at the local humane society. I went on their website. "You must be 13 years or older" it read. If you are not, email us at whatever the address was. So I did, for my love of animals was so strong. They never e-mailed me back. By now I knew I had to make an attempt to just get a dog.
After going through umpteen million breeds and a few set-backs, we were getting a dog!! The Rough Collie is big and has long fur, so it never even was considered. But in my book, right under them was the Smooth Collie. That was our breed! Short fur and the same kid-loving disposition as the rough. We wanted one with blue merle coloring, the most common color of Australian shepherds. So we started looking. No breeders had them. We could only find them in the sable color. Finally, we had the breakthrough!!! A breeder in Kentucky called Lisara Collies said they had one. A smooth blue merle female. We got her.
At the age of 12, I'm happy to announce that we will be the proud owners of Maisy and will be getting her the last week of August, 2009. After purchasing quality dog supplies from FetchDog, we are all ready for our bundle of love. If you think about it, the transformation between pointing, staring at a flash card and saying "dawg" to owning a little bundle of love is one little miracle.
Follow Megan's journey from desperately wanting a puppy to snuggling one of her own. She'll have another post once Maisy gets settled.
 |
