By Robin "Red Hot" Kaye
Memorial Day weekend is a big one in our house. Not only
because we have so many of our family who have served or are serving in the
Armed Forces, but because it’s also my youngest daughter’s birthday.
Ever since we lost our dog, a yellow Lab named Sambuca a few
years ago, Mini-Me has been without her cuddly constant companion. ‘Buca was
110-pounder who thought he was a lap dog. Mini-Me took his death pretty hard.
Our other dog, Jasmine is a love, but she’s not cuddly.
Last week Mini-Me called me when she got home from school and
asked if she could have a puppy for her birthday. I said the same thing I’ve
said every time the question comes up—“Ask your Dad.”
I’m a dog lover—my husband, not so much. He thinks they’re
okay, but with the busy household we have, he sees a puppy as just another
thing to take care of. A few years ago he rendered his edict—No more carbon
based life forms--and I’d seen nothing to make me think he’d change his mind.
Still, Mini-Me wasn’t the only one who would kill for a puppy so I thought I’d
do my part to help out.
Mini-Me really deserved a special birthday present, she’s a
great kid, has been working hard in school, and as she told me, she’s never
asked for much. She wanted a dog small enough for her to handle and walk on her
own, and with her disabilities, she decided she on a Puggle—a designer breed
that’s a cross between a Pug and a Beagle.
Now I’m not a little dog person. If it were up to me, we’d
have St. Bernards, Mastiffs, and Great Pyrenees running around the back yard.
The smallest dog I’ve ever had was a Cocker Spaniel. I’ve never had a dog I was
afraid I’d step on. But this was for Mini-Me so I did some research on Puggles
and had to admit they sounded like the perfect dog for her. So, while I was at
it, I found a breeder who had a few females available.
Mini-Me made her case and my dear husband succumbed. (Next
time I try talking DH into remodeling the kitchen, I’m just going to put
Mini-Me on the job!) Friday night we went to PetSmart and bought all the
necessary accouterments for a Puggle Puppy (including Puppy Training Classes)
and took off early Saturday morning for the breeder. We began the holiday
weekend buying Mini-Me her birthday present. Meet our Puggle Puppy Pepper (say
that five times fast!)
Pepper is 14 weeks old and weighs all of 6 pounds! She’s
wearing a cat collar because they don’t make dog collars that small. It was
love at first sight between Mini-Me and Pepper.
We’ve taken her everywhere: Starbucks (of course)
The Westminister, Maryland Memorial Day Parade--the longest running Memorial Day Parade in the United States. My son marched with his JROTC Raiders Team (he's in the second row, far right with the glasses)
We hit the local Pet Store on the way home for some chew toys. (Pepper has really sharp little teeth!) and to Mini-Me’s
birthday party.
It was a great weekend and I don’t think I’ve ever seen my
youngest happier!
So, what did you do this weekend?
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