Like a child on Christmas, I threw the covers from my legs before the sun had graced the sky. Today, world, Paisley was coming home!

I love me some dog, and always have. But not in the calendar, stuffed animal, poster kind of way. My connection with dogs coincides with my dire need for constant, touchy, affection. But alas, world, I was deprived growing up (yes mama, deprived!).

My first entrepreneurial venture spawned at the ripe age of 11. I became a dog walker. Lucrative, indeed. Instantly befriending my clients, and mentally believing them to be MINE, the sick cycle began.

Nightly prayers included finding a stray, so I could convince my parents it was simply meant to be. After months of scouring the neighborhood at length, I found a beagle. Oh, the irony. I affectionately named him Shiloh, hid his collar, and fell into a deep dream of all the parks we’d frolic through, the picnics we’d share, and the long walks we’d take, pondering life. Shiloh was my dog for approximately five hours. And I cried when he left. Weird story, I get it. I remember it – not only because I was ridiculed for years following – but because a bond like non other can exist between an animal and a human, that don’t communicate through words, common interests, or headline news. To me, that’s intriguing. But above all, I’m so happy we have a new addition.

Paisley’s a red Boston Terrier who would drown in our arms if she could. I know – just oozes perfection! She’s almost a better kisser than my husband, but shhh, don’t say anything. And as she lies here, on my chest, with her bitsy heart adjacent to mine, I realize. I realize I’ve fallen in love with a creature that poops in my kitchen and snorts when she breathes. And that, makes me smile.

Paisley.

Is it utterly awful that she’s not only part of our fam, but also our BRAND?! Can’t help but love it. XOXO

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 11:15 pm and is filed under Personal. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.