Saturday, November 22, 2008
happy 4, little girl!
my pretty little princess is 4!
Today, Haylie turns 4. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday, I brought home this teeny tiny little perfect thing, yet at the same time? I can't imagine my life without her.
I was never much of an animal person. We always had a family dog, but I don't think I ever cared one way or another. If I had grown up without a dog and then got one later, it probably would have ended up like the fish tank... or the bunny... or the goat I always wanted but never got... all good ideas gone wrong.
So in the fall of 2004, when my world was falling apart, I randomly decided I needed a little dog. I was on a road trip with my mom when I told her my idea. I truly think I was just as shocked as she was.
I sometimes get random "great ideas," and thankfully those closest to me "get" it and know to just wait it out and I'll be over it soon. Ideas, hobbies, whatever... I'm always onto something new, but it usually blows over pretty fast. But if it's here to stay? You'll know it.
Anyhow, I spent that weekend on the internet looking at small dogs and learning about the breeds. (I'm not a dog person, remember? I was clueless. All I knew was whatever I learned from the german shepherd and golden retrievers we had over my lifetime.) I decided I needed a shih tzu, but I wasn't exactly sure if I wanted a purebred. A rescue maybe? A mix? A ha, I found it - something called a "shichon" - a shih tzu/bichon frise cross. They were so adorable, and all I could find was information going on and on about how sweet they are. I randomly ran a search for my area and "shichon" and I couldn't believe it when the top hit was a message board post by a breeder with my area code. Was it too good to be true? Was it destined to be? I grabbed my cell and made the call. Yep, sure enough, a bichon dad and a shih tzu mom were going to have a litter of puppies, and the breeder was right in my area. 20-30 minutes away. Plus, at the time, "designer dogs" - especially shichons were really rare and expensive so what were the odds?? Apparently the breeder had received a lot of inquiries but she said if she got my deposit before the others (which were coming in the mail), I could have first female pick.
So bless my dear parents for not going crazy when I told them that I was getting a shichon and I had to go meet the doggie parents and give this random lady my deposit. Ha! I kind of counted on yelling and reminders of the fish and the bunny but after a "Let me talk to your dad about this," and 20 minutes of a "discussion" (you know, when the parents get all serious, shut the door and you can hear them trying to keep their voices low as they "discuss"?)... they said as long as I paid for her and would help pay for her food, grooming, bills, etc., they were fine with it. What?! I had absolutely nothing to say. That's NOT how my parents are. Ever. Never ever.
What in the world had gotten into them? What was up with this story? It was surely meant to be because I found my crazy-rare breed, I found a breeder who wasn't even a half hour away, my parents were 100% fine with it... It was totally unreal. But later, it all made sense. Both God and my parents knew that I needed this baby girl. I guess my parents somehow knew how lonely I was inside my self-built shell, and I know they were just as shaken as I was over some additional health obstacles that came up just a month or two prior. Although no one ever said a word, I know they saw that I HAD to have this puppy. I needed a reason to get up in the morning. I needed someone to adore. I spent too many nights crying alone, and somehow, I like to think that they saw that in their hearts.
I know God did.
So that's the story of Haylie, the furbaby daughter that no one ever believed I was serious about until they saw that she had every single piece of my heart. That's the story of the little princess who, surprisingly enough, is just like her mommy - hater of mornings, lover of naps, quite a bit finicky and persnickety, either 100% or 0% snugly - never in between, naive, loving, a tad stubborn, cautious, inquisitive, scared, persistent, sassy, and capable of engaging you and melting your heart. That's the story of the 11 pounds who gives me a reason to hold on in the middle of the longest night, the one who lays with me when I'm in pain or coming out of anesthesia. She's been with me through the hardest 4 years of my life, and in return, she's the most spoiled, loved, cared for little princess you will ever hear of. After all, she pretty much saved my life. And that's a big deal for a tiny little girl!
So Happy Birthday little angel!!
This little family was meant to be. :)
your little hailey is adorable!!!
posted by sandra on November 24, 2008 at 12:09pm
I love the bow in her hair! She is precious!
posted by SarahHub on November 28, 2008 at 10:53am
Thanks for the laugh she is sooo cute!
posted by Rita on November 30, 2008 at 10:33am