This weekend, Dutch turned 11 years old. In dog years, this means he’s now 60 years old. (Well, according the WebMD, which says small dogs age more slowly than larger dogs. So I’m going off their chart.)
For those that don’t know the story of how Dutch came to be mine, it’s a good one. In June of 2008, we had to put my first dog, Minnie, to sleep. She had lymphoma and watching her die wrecked me. It was a rainy Sunday, the day we decided her quality of life was so diminished that the humane thing to do was to put her down. To know how much she suffered during those last few weeks. To pick her sick, heavy body up and cuddle it close as I walked to the car. To listen to her ragged breathing against my chest on the short ride to the vet. To know this was the last car ride with my baby. To walk up to the front desk and let them know why we were there. To say those last few words. To know you’re not bringing her back home, she will never greet you at the door ever again. The death of a pet is painful and heartbreaking and filled with torment. Could I have done something differently to have prevented this? But as awful as those last weeks with Minnie were, the joy and happiness she brought to me for 11 years were worth it. It’s worth the heartbreak.
It took me a few months of grief before I was able to think about getting another dog. My mom and I trekked up to our local SPCA a few times. I wanted a small dog, preferably a dachshund or a Yorkie. The SPCA had plenty of large, mixed-breed dogs but with apartment restrictions as they can be, we had to keep to a dog under 20 lbs.
And then one day in late December of that same year, my mom texted me to ask how I felt about getting a 7-year-old dachshund. While I would have preferred a younger dog, I was ecstatic! A dachshund? Is this some kind of joke? Apparently, my grandma’s sister was looking for a good home for her beloved dog, Dutch. Dutch was getting in trouble for biting her grandchildren and she had decided to give him away. (As a side note, dachshunds aren’t the best dogs if you have kids and he has bitten my nephew once. But once we taught my nephew how to play with Dutch appropriately, we haven’t had any issues.)
In early January, my mom and I made the drive to Lakeland to pick up Dutch. I was nervous. For one, and this is me being completely honest here, I was worried he was going to be ugly. I mean, I’m a dog lover to my core but let’s face it: some dogs just aren’t cute! But my main worry was how we would connect. I had a strong connection with Minnie. She was mine. I was hers. Would I ever feel that same connection again?
It was love at first sight with Dutch. First of all, he was adorable with a sparkling personality. How could you not fall in love with this face?
We had an instant connection. I was wrapped around his finger in no time flat. I spent the whole drive home with him on my lap, rubbing his neck to keep him calm during the long drive. He was mine from the second I saw him. And I was totally his.
It’s been over 4 years since we brought him home and on Saturday, he turned eleven. It’s quite funny to tell people how old he is and see their reactions. He doesn’t act or look like a senior dog one bit! (Although he does have a few gray hairs sprouting on his head. We try not to talk about this.)
There is so much I love about this little guy. The way he snuggles with me at night. How excited he gets about his food. The way he perches on the top of the sofa, like he is the king of the apartment. His squeezable ears and the way he loves to put his paws on my face and go to town licking my face as if he’s staking his claim. How stubborn he is. Giving his sleepy, warm body a long hug in the morning and picking him up for cuddles and kisses when I get home every day. How competitive he is – if my mom and I take him on a walk and one of us goes in front of him, he runs to get ahead of us. The way he adores me. There is no love in the world quite like the love of a dog. It’s pure. Uninhibited. Devoted. Being fiercely loved the way Dutch loves me takes away any bad that’s in my life.
He makes everything about my life better.
And while I get into bouts of sadness thinking of the day I will have to say goodbye to him forever, I choose not to focus on that. That’s going to wreck me. It will be the worst day of my life but what’s the point in focusing on that? To prepare me? Nothing will prepare me for that. Instead, I choose to focus on what I have now. I choose to focus on him as he is today. He is my excited, adorable, funny little guy and I am a better person for having him in my life.
Happy birthday, Dutchy-boy. You are the best friend any girl could ever ask you. Smooches!
Aw this is such a sweet post! He is such a cute dog and I love his eyes! I have never really been a dog person, but I can see why he is a girl’s best friend as you can always count on him and I am sure it’s great to be greeted by someone who is always excited to see you! Happy birthday to Dutch!
Awwww! Too cute. Isn’t it amazing how much joy a pet can bring into your life? I never thought I was a dog person, but once we brought home Buddy, I just fell in love. Happy birthday to Dutch!
Happy birthday to that sweet little face! I know just how you feel – I feel the same way about my Dakota. Sometimes I think about losing him too, and just the thought terrifies me, but I try to push it away. No one can love you the way a dog can!
He’s adorable! Happy Birthday little guy!
Love this!! I’m not a huge dog person, but I am a huge pet person and I always feel like my life has been better when I’ve been around a loving animal. I’m glad you found your paw-mate! 🙂
He’s the CUTEST!
Awww this made me cry a little bit. I have been thinking about sharing a post about my dog, who I feel very close to, and now your post has inspired me to finally do it. Dutch is ADORABLE. Happy Birthday little man. 🙂
Aw happy birthday Dutch! I literally don’t have words for how much joy my pets bring. There is a meme going around on Facebook that talks about the reason dogs don’t live as long as humans is that they are born happy and full of love and humans have to learn to be that way. It’s so true!
This made me all teary-eyed. I had no idea how you and Dutch came to be together and what a lovely story. I know how you feel about Dutch as I think I feel the same way about Jack. It’s such a special connection between human and pet; one that is hard to explain at times! Wishing him a happy birthday and more years of happiness, cuddles and love!
This is soooooooooo cute!! Love the story. He’s such a freaking adorable dog, look at those eyes!! It’s tough to see your dogs getting older, especially when you’re so attached, I totally get that. I had two dogs for about 8-9 years (they grew up together) but 2.5 years ago we had to put our female dog down because she was very sick. It was just the worst. We had the vet come make a house call so that she could be surrounded by all her family. I had to take my other dog for a walk. I came home and the half of my family that stayed to keep her company were bawling, including my brother. They said that it’s like she *knew* why the vet was there, and she was so calm and happy about it, as if she really understood that she was sick. Putting an animal down can seem silly to some people, but they impact our lives in SUCH amazing, wonderful ways. It took us a good year and a half to grieve our pup, but once I found my two new ones (we now have three dogs. WHA.) I just can’t imagine my life without them!!
Happy birthday Dutch! God I totally wish our dogs could all have a play-date. Ha!
Aw, I love your story about how Dutch came to be yours. I’ve never actually had my own dog, but Eric had a dog that was his but became his family dog- and we had to put her down a year and a half ago. To be honest, I was shocked at how heart breaking it was! I can only imagine how it is for people who truly live with the dog every single day.
But anyway, Happy Birthday Dutch! 🙂
What a cutie pie! 🙂
Happy (belated!) Birthday, Dutch! He doesn’t look a day over 30! 😉
It’s amazing how differently dogs can age depending on their size! My mom had a Labrador and he passed away a couple years ago when he was 10. She also has a maltipoo who’s going to be 11 this year and you’d never guess it!
So sweet! And he is absolutely adorable. Every time you write about him, it makes me want to run out and get my own little pooch. 🙂
Awwww… he’s a cutie! Happy birthday to your pup!
Aw Dutch! Did you know he’s one of my favorite blog dogs? Maybe it’s the dachshund thing. My grandparents ALWAYS had dachshunds so the breed has a very special place in my heart.
Happy birthday Dutch!