Project Walk the Dog: The Story of How I Became A Canine Owner

Ok. So I have a confession; I am a hopeless romantic. I'm the classic harder-on-the-outside because on the inside I am one big, soft cheese ball of romantic notions. Fun fact for you all: at the end of the day, all good women just want to love and be loved back, and I am no different. Another thing you must know about me for this story is that I'd rather spend money on experiences than stuff. And my birthday presents from the last couple years have reflected accordingly. I've gotten to an age where my parents just ask me what I want for my birthday rather than getting something for me. For my 19th birthday, I asked for money to go shark cage diving. For my 20th, money to help me travel while in Lithuania. Well last month was my 21st birthday, and when I considered these two things about myself upon my parents asking me what I wanted for my birthday, I concluded that the thing I wanted most was a dog.

I've always loved animals, particularly dogs, and my thinking was that I not only would like a dog to satisfy the animal-loving environmentalist inside of me, but I could also use a jogging buddy (maybe then I would actually start jogging again?) and if I loved something and it loved me back, maybe my baby-hungry-21-year-old pangs would disperse a little bit.

Of course, I was met from immediate opposition from my parents. But I began their conversion when I found a mini aussie up for adoption in a local shelter. After reading my mother the weight, height, and temperament description of mini aussies (Australian Shepherds), I had her hooked. Unfortunately, by the time we made our way to the shelter, that dog had been adopted. But my mom suggested we continued the search for a mini aussie. I was more than happy to oblige as Australian Shepherds are one of my favorite breeds. I did have some conditions though, one being that I couldn't get a puppy but a dog that was at least a year old already, which was fine with me as house training a puppy can be a truly miserable experience. I began obsessing over KSL and keeping an eye on local breeders for adult dogs they were no longer busy. After not having much luck though, I started to expand my list of breeds to dogs of similar build and temperament, including shelties, corgis, and american eskimos. However, nothing seemed to be working out despite my efforts. And then I found her, a teacup size mini aussie named Cricket.

Cricket is four years old and was first used a show dog by her first owners. She was then bought by Rose's Half Pint Ranch (which can be found here: http://roseshalfpintranch.com/www.roseshalfpintranch.com/KENNEL.html) to be used as a breeding dog. Nearby, we went out to visit her. And basically from thereon, everything has worked out swimmingly and I am the new proud owner of the international champion, Cricket. And I think she's just the greatest. Isn't she adorable?

Face it; my dog is cuter than yours haha.

I'm quite content with my new friend and she seems to like me the best as well. Thus my goal for this week is give Miss Cricket the proper exercise an aussie needs and to walk to dog every day this week.