Oh Sadie.

Sadie is my puppy dog. She's going to be 10 months May 6th. She is a boston terrier, english bulldog mix, and most people think she's a baby pit bull. Which, is adorable as well as frustrating. It's like when people ask you all the time if your tattoo hurt, or if black is your natural hair color. People will just start ranting to me about the merits of Pits, or how I shouldn't clip her ears, et cetera. Which, was fine the first 3 months I had her, but considering she should have a life expectancy of 10+ years, I'm considering putting a sign on her neck that reads "BOSTON BULLDOG" just so people will shut their yaps about the whole thing.

I found her on craigslist, or rather, she found me. I made a post about how I wanted a smaller dog, but was getting a hard time from the SPCA because I slipped up and let them know I was a renter AND that we had another dog already. This meant I needed written notarized proof that I could own a pet, and that we'd need to bring Dutchess (Owen's dog) into the SPCA after picking out a dog to make sure they got along. It doesn't sound like a lot, but considering the SPCA is 20 miles out of town, Owen and myself work 40 hours a week, and our landlords (his parents) live in North Fucking Carolina... it was just too much to deal with. So I made a post on craigslist to that effect, stated that I wanted a smaller dog, that I had a large house with a fenced in yard, was able to bring my dog into work with me so she wouldn't have to be home in her crate all day, and one she was old enough, she'd have Dutchess to fart around with inside all day. As far as dog adoption goes, large house, prior experience with puppies, and a fenced in yard are all big pluses.

So, I received a few emails from people trying to unload poodles, lhasa absohs, and chihuhuhas. I knew none of those types of dogs would be for me. I'm a fan of large dogs, but I don't own a house and wouldn't feel right putting a 60lb dog into a one bedroom apt if it came down to that. So, I wanted to stay 30lbs or less. Well, the day after posting my "request" I received an email from a guy who said his dog (a boston terrier) just had a litter of puppies and he had one left. He sent me a picture of baby Sadie and that was it. I was in love. Her adoption fee was completely reasonable ($100) considering she was 4 months old and was current on all her shots. I tell you, $100 is barely enough to feed a dog for 4 months, let alone vaccinate her, so I knew she was coming from a good place and not some breeder or puppy mill. I called the guy and made plans to come meet her the next day. She was so little and shy and small, I was in love. If you've ever met my Sadie, you'd know the LAST thing she is is shy. So I walked into the nice man's porch, saw her, and said "sold." She came home with me that night and hasn't left my side ever since.

Sadie has managed to charm the pants off of everyone (well, everyone except Pam, because I'm fully convinced Pam doesn't enjoy puppies in general. Too hyper and jumpy for her to deal with). My parents, my friends, relatives who haven't even MET her are in love. My old grumpy father who manages to scream on a daily basis about how we should just "put him out of his misery" gets a huge grin on his face when she comes to visit.

This morning I took her in to get fixed. There is a rescue organization called Pet Pal Rescue (petpalrescue.com) that is a local no-kill shelter and they just opened a spay/neuter clinic in town. I'm a big believer in adopting pets and not buying from breeders (I was honestly upset that the SPCA thing was such a pain in the ass because I really wanted to rescue an animal, but in a way I guess I still have) because there are so many wonderful adorable animals out there for people to love; older dogs for those without the paitence to train, puppies for people who want to baby something, etc.

We got in at about 7:30 and the place was really nice. Bright and clean and friendly. The vet techs were immediately under her spell, came out from the back and ooed and ahhed over her. She even went right with one of them to get weighed while I filled out paperwork. As she played with the employees I tried to gain composure and choke back tears. ME. CRYING. OVER A DOG THAT WAS GOING IN FOR A ROUTIENE PROCEDURE. Wasn't going to happen. So I listened to their pick up instructions half heartedly while they took her into the back. The motherfucking backstabbing bastard didn't even put up a fight. Walked right with them wagging her nub the entire way. Traitor.

I'm glad she went happily, honestly, because if she would have turned around and looked at me with that underbite and those wonky big green eyes I would have lost it. So, with all that being said, if you're reading this keep Sadie puppy in your thoughts today as she goes in for her procedure. I'll be sure to update on her progess and healing as well. I'm at work and there's no warm fleabag sitting on my feet, or sleeping on my lap. It feels a little empty, and I just can't wait to have her back home. <3