After a mini blog vacation, I have a million healthy living inspiration ideas to share with you, however, I missed a very important day yesterday. National Dog Day. Yes, there is a day to celebrate dogs and for those that know me, I am gaa gaa over my little boy Gizmo. I often say, “he is the best thing to come from Texas!”. We live in Minnesota, so you know there's a story in that statement.
In early 2005, after several offers and promptings, my husband, accepted a job promotion. This promo had us uprooting and moving from Minnesota to Sugar Land, Texas, just south of Houston, where it is hot, hotter, hottest with a humidity level that is not conducive to a good hair day. I was born, raised and rooted in Minnesota, so this was quite the adventure. We knew going into the move it was not permanent, suspecting we'd be there for five years.
Within the first few months of arriving, our home closure was delayed by several weeks, we evacuated for a hurricane (Rita), I lost the stone out of my wedding ring, our cat went missing, my son, who has some pretty severe learning disabilities, did not quality for special education and we had to put our dog to sleep. Add to this list homesickness and I was not a happy camper.
Tom was doing a bit of travelling as well, which had me home alone, in a new city, with the two boys who were then eight and ten. He desperately wanted to cheer me up and a new puppy was his ammunition.
One Saturday after work, I met him at a pet store to look at puppies. I fell in love with an adorable Yorkie that was marked “Halloween Special”. I tend to be more decisive than Tom, if I see something I like, I know right away. Tom on the other hand, likes to weigh out all the options. He is the very opposite of impulsive. I wanted the Yorkie, but he wanted to go to another pet store and see what they had.
I pitched a fit and said I was going home. He could take the boys to the other pet store. He pleaded with me to come with and I eventually conceded. We arrived at the next pet store and were greeted by a litter of Shih Tzus. I didn't want to have anything to do with them, but Tom and the boys took a couple in the meet and greet area and proceeded to fall in love with Gizmo. Eventually I came around and we were soon checking out with a puppy and all the supplies necessary.
Gizmo fast became “my dog”, although we all love him to pieces, he knows I am his master. There are no words for how much I adore this little guy. He is a really, really good dog. He doesn't do tricks, other than he will pee on command on a potty pad in an airport bathroom, however, he showers us all with love and compassion daily. He has made the transition to the city and our new condo with ease and has had a blast sniffing and marking out new spots on our city block.
Our stay in Texas was short, and to be honest, it was never quite home. I can say now with confidence, the two years was worth it, as curled up beside me as I type this is “the best thing to come from Texas!”
Time for our morning walk.
