I am not a dog person. But, in the spring of 2007 I started shopping around for dogs. At the time, Devin and I were engaged, and I knew the minute we got married he wanted to get a dog. So, I figured that if I was going to have to live with a dog, it might as well be one I picked out. So, I headed to the Flagstaff mall (I was attending NAU), and found Dixie at the pet store. Yes, the pet store. I saw Dixie there through one of the little windows, then went home. The next few days, I couldn't stop thinking about that dog. I was perplexed as to why I couldn't get her off of my mind since dogs aren't my favorite things. That next weekend Devin came up from Phoenix for a visit, and I took him to meet the little puppy I couldn't stop thinking about. We asked the salesgirl to let us play with her, and we did so in one of the rooms for well over an hour. We were in love.
Remember how I said we got Dixie at a pet store? Dogs are very very overpriced there, but I didn't care. I honestly felt some tugging from deep inside my spirit telling me that I had to get this dog. So, I took out a loan and took her home a few days later.
Dixie was our child. In our first married months, Devin and I took her to the dog park nightly (nerdy, I know). I took her on 4-mile walks every morning. Devin and I used to compete over who Dixie would choose to sit with when we would watch movies.
Then when we had Sam, Dixie became his best bud. She would let him do anything to her while she just layed there patiently.
When we decided that we would move up here for Devin to attend school, and we found an apartment to live in, we were devastated when we found out they don't allow dogs. So began the search to find Dixie a new home. For weeks we tried to figure out some way that one of our family members could take her so we could take her back at the end of our 4 years in college. Unfortunately this plan didn't work out, so we had to search elsewhere. A sweet family from church ended up taking her, and from what we hear she his loving life, even sleeping in the bed with one of the daughters. How rude of Dixie. I wanted her to mope around for at least a few days.
Devin and Dixie's last picture before taking her to her new owners
I still don't know why I had the spiritual prompting to get Dixie. I was convinced that one day she would save us from drowning in a river or something, but nothing miraculous like that ever happened. Maybe Dixie's whole purpose was to show me that some dogs are worth loving. Just not cocker spaniels.
8 comments:
I cried when i read this. I miss her so much!
Oh I'm so sorry! I'm sure that is extremely rough on you guys. We love Dixie!
Seriously, made me cry a little! So sweet,(I'm also highly emotional because of the small infant growing inside me at the moment ;) hehe, Just not cocker spaniels...I love you Allison! Are we going to see you at Christmas? Can we come up and have a day trip and go sledding or something!? How fun would that be!!!
That was tender and my heart is sad for you, BUT I am so glad that Dixie has dismissed you so easily!!! No, I'll bet if you go to visit her she will mope around after you leave.
oh this makes me so sad. seriously, why do dogs make us love them so much (most of the time). but at least she's happy and not moping around...:)
although it is sad, i'm sure you can admit that there are a lot of nice things about not having a dog (things i wish i didn't have to worry about)...taking them out to go to the bathroom, dog hair all over the house, finding somebody to watch them when you leave town, etc etc.
Fortunately for Oliver, he does NOT realize he's a Cocker Spaniel and still thinks he's deserving of love.
Whoops! forgot to mention that 'Oliver' is my dog:)
this was a sweet post. i will miss dixie tooooo! it will not be the same without her!
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