My sweet little dog Gordita turns nine next month. NINE.
Where did the last nine years go??
Gordita has been with me my entire adult life. And by "adult" I mean post-college/post-parents-supporting-me life. A lot of growing up has happened with this little dog by my side.
She moved with me from apartment to apartment. She ate crappy dog food when that is all I could afford. She cuddled with me when I cried and ran in circles chasing her tail when I laughed.
When my now husband first met her, he thought she was annoying and stupid, but she eventually won him over. {For the record, she isn't the smartest dog around - but whatever she lacks in brains she makes up for in personality and sweetness.}
When I adopted her my parents told me it was a mistake because "you cannot afford a dog!" And they were right; I had no money. So I charged her vet bills. And her food. And she was more than worth it.
When I look back at all the impulse purchases I have made over the years, Gordita is hands down, without a doubt, the best one I have ever made.
She was a total impulse purchase. I went with two of my friends to the shelter to "look at the puppies." If you don't want a puppy, avoid the pound...puppies are hard to pass up :).
The day I saw her balled up and trembling in the corner of that huge cage, I impulsively spent $75 and took the little peanut home. I named her Gordita - because she was literally a little fat girl. And she still is my little fat girl.
I figure I will be one of those people who will always have a dog - and I will love them all. But none will be as special as my first dog. For a long time it was just me and my pup - we kind of grew up together.
I find as she gets older I squish her more. I play with her more. I kiss her more. I take pictures almost daily as I never want to forget one crazy bit of fur or roll of fat.
I know dogs live to be about 12 but I am hoping that this crazy little mutt makes it to 20. I am just not ready for it to be her final years.
I am not ready to wake up without her little brown eyes staring at me, anxiously awaiting breakfast and a walk. I am not ready.
People who don't have dogs tell me they're replaceable. I am sorry, but I don't agree.
I could never "replace" Gordita and I would never want to replace her. She is a true one of a kind. My Heinz 57 dog. The one with 57 "ingredients."
No matter how many dogs I will have in my life, Gordita will always be my first love. The canine love of my life.
