Sweet Gordita

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.