 Barked: Tue May 15, '12 7:01pm PST |
 | |  | | "I'll go ahead and admit that there were times when Ava was growing up and I was realizing that she'd never be the dog I wanted, that I regretted getting her, but I could never give her up."
Replace "Ava" with "Oogie" and you have my sentiments exactly. When I first got Oogie, I had patiently waited for years until I both had the money and lived in a place which allowed dogs to finally get my own... I dreamed of a small pomeranian or long-hair chihuahua or mix of the two that would be my little shadow and follow me around everywhere. A happy go lucky dog that liked to play as much as it liked to cuddle.
Even at her young age, Oogie was not on track to be that dog... she was quite independent and much more focused on serving her own interests rather than being interested in me it seemed. I didn't feel like we were bonding and the whole thing was pretty upsetting- I felt like I had made the wrong choice and regretted that I chose her and not her brother to bring home.
So, I went back to the breeder after 5 weeks of doubt... I probably could have switched Oogie out for her brother, but I just could not bring myself to do that- It was at that moment I realized I really did love Oogie even if she wasn't my "ideal". While visiting with the breeder, Kip came to me and stayed in my lap the entire time... and with the way he looked at me, I just *knew* he was supposed to be mine. So, I bought him too, and initially planned on keeping him and giving Oogie to my mom. But deep down I knew I couldn't do that. Getting in the car, I knew that I would be keeping them both. And I knew it was going to be A LOT of work to raise them both at the same time. Call me crazy, but it felt right. And now, after a year and a half, I could not be happier with how everything has turned out 
Kip ended up being my "ideal" dog I had pined over for years- he was that way from the get go. Our bond was instant. He follows me everywhere, loves to play fetch, and sleeps in my arms at night- A true goofball velcro cuddle-bug of a dog 
Oogie continued to be independent, but after I let go of my expectations I had for her in terms of the dog I wanted her to be that she wasn't, our bond finally started to grow. I started to appreciate her "diva" personality and eventually found humor in it that something SO tiny could be so serious/full of herself. She never really showed affection how I wanted her to, but I learned that she showed it in her own way on her own time and that that was OK- I now have no doubt at all that she loves me, and her little Oogie ways warm my heart. Quite honestly, she's only gotten sweeter as she's gotten older 
Overall, they are both amazing little dogs and they have a wonderful dynamic together- their personalities really balance/compliment each other beautifully and I am so lucky to have them both. And while yes, there was a short period where I regretted getting Oogie, I by no means still feel that way now- I don't know what I'd do without the little princess in my life! And as for raising them together, even though that was a huge amount of work I can honestly say I have not and have never had a single regret about that decision- in fact, I think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.  |  |  | |  |
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