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GOOBER'S DIARY

GOOBER IS LOOKING FOR A GIRLFRIEND!

That's right, I’m looking for a girlfriend! Mommy and daddy took me to the vet for my biannual checkup and asked the doc if it was time to have me neutered. He suggested they look into the option of breeding before making a final decision. So here I am internet dating, or rather, internet mating. Looking for love on the internet, who would have thought? Mommy says I’m quite a catch so finding a girlfriend should be a breeze. I’m extremely handsome and very sweet. I am gentle, mild mannered and well behaved. I’m looking for another purebred Peke just like me! If you're also interested in breeding, send me a message and I’ll surely get back to you! Questions and suggestions are always welcome. Now hurry and send in your applications!!!

Dear Diary,

As mommy woke me up the morning of Christmas Eve she reminded me, "It's one year tomorrow!" As I stretched, she began to tell me my favorite story. Wagging my tail, I listened enthusiastically, "Around this time last year, your daddy found a puppy on the internet, who looked just like you, but without your signature pink nose. Adonis lived far away, he was too young to fly and wouldn't make it here by Christmas. Your daddy was discouraged but refused to give up. With Adonis in mind, he began combing the local pet stores. Although he was reluctant to support their puppy mills, he didn't think he would actually find a puppy like you outside of a breeder. One afternoon, while he was supposed to be at work, he and his co-worker came across a pet store beneath a train station. When they arrived it appeared as though they only sold pet supplies. The store resembled a stockroom and was the size of a hallway. It was dirty, smelly and unkept. There were shelves from floor to ceiling packed with dusty merchandise and stacks of boxes cluttered the ground. Just as they were about to turn and leave, an strange store clerk asked them if they'd come to see the puppies. The clerk led them to the back of the store, through a small gate. In the tiny area, there were about a dozen cages. That's when he saw you for the first time. He knew instantly, you were the one. He and his co-worker were in astounded. What were the chances they'd walk into this dingy hole-in-the-wall store and find a treasure like you? The clerk freed you from the cage you shared with your cellmate so your daddy could hold you and have a closer look. He liked that you were such a calm puppy. The clerk said you were still recovering from surgery for a hernia. Concerned about your health, he decided he needed to sleep on it. The next day, he returned to the store to visit you. When he arrived you were taking a nap with your cellmate. He told the clerk to let you sleep but the clerk rattled the cage and woke you up. Disgusted, your daddy made up his mind to rescue you. He paid the deposit but Christmas was several days away and he'd have to come back and pick you up. Excited it was finally Christmas Eve, he told me he was helping Lily do some last minute shopping. When he picked you up, you were carsick and threw up all over her coat. He dropped you off with Sam who drove you to Adam and Gina's house where you spent your first Christmas Eve playing with Danny and Kayla. You were dirty and smelly from the store so Gina gave you a bath before your daddy picked you up on Christmas morning. On the drive home, you couldn't stop shivering even with the heat on. He snuggled you inside his jacket until you finally stopped shaking and took a nap on his lap. We had all been waiting anxiously for him to open our gifts. He snuck you into Lily's room where you hid patiently until it was time. After all the gifts under the tree had been opened, he came into the living room with an oversized department store bag. I thought it must be a jacket or clothing. Suddenly, something appeared behind the bag, a tiny white furball trailing behind him, trying diligently to keep up, a big red bow tied on its back. There you were, so small you could barely run, determined to trot as fast as you could as you made your grand entrance. Your eyes were immediately fixed on me. You came straight towards me as if compelled, as if you had already known that I would be your mommy. Despite all the unfamiliar people and things in the room, you approached me with great conviction and hopped into my lap. I was stunned and confused. This was too inconceivable even for a dream. They had kept you a secret from me all that time, which was undoubtedly impossible. A complex series of events, some delicately orchestrated, some left to fate, had allowed and necessitated this once in a lifetime meeting. From all the obstacles that could have prevented your extraordinary discovery in that unlikely pet store to all the love and kindness you received from so many people who helped to make our encounter perfect, you are truly a Christmas miracle.

Dear Diary,

Today I saw snow for the first time. The day started out like any other. The alarm clock went off and I awoke for the early shift, my daddy’s shower. I jumped up and followed him into the bathroom where I kept him company and took my morning nap. As always, I dozed off as soon as the warm, wet air hit me. Once he was done, he told me to go back to bed where I snuggled up with mommy and watched him get ready. I stayed in bed until he was ready to leave and I walked him to the door and sent him off. I sat by the door for awhile in case he returned for something and I'd have to go alert mommy. Eventually, I returned to bed and again I snuggled up with mommy as she wrapped me in the blanket. She wasn’t very sleepy today but we stayed in bed anyway and watched TV. Before getting up, mommy smothered me with hugs and kisses and helped me do my morning stretches. I waited ever so patiently as she went upstairs to make breakfast. When she returned with her plate, I immediately smelled eggs. I jumped and jumped for the eggs. Mommy saw how much I wanted them so she went upstairs and brought the one she planned on saving for me for later. We finished our breakfasts and she became busy on the phone. I was excited and energized after having my favorite snack, I just wanted to run and play. We played with my grey elephant for awhile but she seemed distracted. I started to bark at her so she gave me a Greenie and told me to hush. I was delighted. Eggs and then a Greenie, it was heaven. I chewed up most of it but decided to save some for later. After a short nap, I eagerly finished what was left of my Greenie. In the afternoon, mommy got dressed and went out for a few minutes. When she came back she asked me if I'd like to go outside. I could hardly contain myself and jumped for joy. It’s been so long since we’ve gone out for a walk. Ever since the weather’s gotten cold, I’ve been stuck inside. She bundled me up in my coat, put on my shoes and out we went. I hated wearing the shoes but she told me to keep them on so my feet wouldn’t freeze. As we walked up the driveway, I started to slip and slide. I ran over to my favorite telephone pole but the base was covered with white stuff. Intrigued, I sniffed it and mommy explained, “It’s snow!” It was cold and damp and was preventing me from getting close to my pole. I guess that's why I haven't been able to go outside. We started to run and I must have been having so much fun that I kicked off my shoes without even realizing. Luckily, mommy was able to pick them all up but then she tried to put the shoes on me again. Everytime she got them on, I'd just kick them off. Eventually, she gave in and let me run around barefoot. I carefully sniffed and marked all my favorite spots. I was curious who else had been there despite the snow since I was last there. It was very difficult finding a place to do my business with all the patches of snow left on the ground. Finally, I settled for the only dry spot I could find on the grass. It felt so good to be outside again. Just as I was getting used to hopping over lumps of snow and dodging the ice, the cold started to get to me. My feet were frozen and my eyes were tearing. I started to run towards home. As soon as we were in front of our house, I jumped into mommy’s arms and she carried me inside. I was so glad to be home.