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Oh girl...I am so sorry.Before My Store Starts, Please beware that I was only 13 at the time and hadn't had proper understandings of "dog pounds", or adopting a dog. My parents always told me dog pounds are were mean dogs go that attack people. And I'm sorry about the long story ahead!
Okay so back story on my hard learning of life! So for 3 years I saved all the money I got from birthdays to chore money to any helps I got money for, were all saved and put on lock and key! 3 years! It was very hard to not spend a dime for that long of time, and I must say, I was 13 when I started saving the money and ended at 16 years old.
Why did it end? And what was I saving for exactly?
Well my parents told me I was mature and old enough to have my very own dog on my 13th birthday but had to buy it all on my own and be able to keep it's shots up to date, pay for it's food, and take care of it properly. I also couldn't have a dog from the dog pound, or a known "aggressive dog breed" like any form of pits, bulls, Rottweiler, chow, and more. They also said my soon to be dog has to be friendly looking and very gentle! Well I jumped in feet first! I took all my money I made from that point on for 3 years. I first started to study dogs and find out which dog would best suit me.
I narrowed my want list down to what dogs I really like the most:
1.) Dalmation
2.) Husky
3.) Border Collie
4.) German Shepherd
5.) Australian Shepherd
I then re-sized my list based on my current living style and environment.
I came to realize a Husky wouldn't be best in my current environment due to our harsh summers and the non-ability to keep it cooled in the summer. (My parents wouldn't let us have AC's we got box fans and they had to be put on the lowest settings only to save on bills!) So I marked Husky off my list.
Then I moved to Dalmatians and found it nearly impossible to find one near me that was affordable. So I marked Dalmatians off the list.
So then my list had only 3 dogs, German Shepherd, Border Collie, and Australian Shepherd. These are known farm dogs is what I had in my head. I tried my best and hardest to find a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd in my area. I found some puppies, but they were around $1000+ just for the puppy! I was only 13 and had no way of gathering that much money and having the ability not to spend it! So I decided to go with a German Shepherd, Because there was a surplus of them in my area and were more in an affordable budget for me, around $500-$800. My elders like grandpa, mom, dad, uncles, aunts, and even my cousins old enough to drive would take me to peoples houses that had German Shepherd puppies. I must have went to well over 100 peoples houses looking at hundreds of puppies, but just couldn't settle for what I was seeing over the first 2.5 years. I took into count the quality of the parent dogs.
Their temperament, their playfulness, how fast they are, how their personalities were. So it was very hard to chose a puppy, mainly because every time I seen the puppies I questioned myself if I'm ready for this, that this pup I chose would be it and my companion for life. So I guess I would get cold feet and find a reason not to get one of those puppies.
Finally 6 months before my birthday, my friend's mom inherited a male Champion German Shepherd show dog from her Father in Texas. He had all sorts of certificates, ribbons, and lots of pictures of him in the shows. Her mom also had a female German Shepherd who came from show quality bloodlines. She was the sweetest dog I ever met and loved playing with her. She was the reason I considered German Shepherds in the first place. Her name is Bella. My friend's mom took my friend and me to Texas to pick up this lovely dog. He was amazing! He was this huge massive teddy bear! Loved attention, loved being near people, loved all types of animals, very gentle with babies, and had a heart warming kind of personality! His name is Jango. I wanted him!! But my friend's mom said no and my parents said I could only get a puppy, not a full grown adult dog. So her mother told me she was going to breed her Bella to Jango and said I could have one puppy! I continued to save up money because well Jango had long hair. I just knew the puppy I picked would most likely end up with long hair too so that meant grooming costs! Bella ended up have 9 puppies on March 4th (A month after my 16 birthday), 8 girls and one boy. My father and little sister came with to be with me when I finally choose the puppy I've been waiting for which was when the puppies were only 2 weeks old. Then tragedy struck! My father and my little sister decided they both wanted a puppy of their own. That meant 3 puppies were going to come home with us in a little over 6 weeks. I refrained from getting upset about the fact that my father was willing to buy himself and my little sister who was turning 13 their dogs, but I had to buy my own. And mom didn't approve of my dad or my sister having a dog!
Okay now for the choosing of the puppies! All but two puppies were the Black and Tan types. I wanted a Sable German Shepherd. The two that were sable was one girl and the only boy. My dad wanted the only male, reason for it, I don't really know. So I chose the only sable female. My sister chose one of the darkest puppies there was and the fluffiest too. We put collared collars on them to mark our puppies. Dads was Black, Mine was neon Green (bought it myself!) and sisters was purple. A few sort weeks later, it was time to pick up our puppies. My sister was having a bad attitude that day and wasn't allowed to come with. (I must say that mom had no idea about what my dad and sister were doing! She was only aware of me getting a puppy not my dad and sister!) When we arrived to pick them up, we were told my sisters puppy's collar fell off. We couldn't know for sure which one was hers. All the other puppies looked the same. Same hair length, same coloring. So I picked the puppy who seemed the shyest, because that matched my sister the best. Before we could leave with our puppies, my friend's mother's Boyfriend demanded we pay $600 each per puppy! Even mine that they said I could have for free. So I of course had my money in a backpack stuffed under my parent's spare tire! Yep best place ever I thought at the time! I quickly got my money out and bought my puppy, then my dad went through my backpack and counted out $1200 and bought my sisters and his puppies!! I was so upset that he took my money! I still had money left after that, but still made me mad! He promised he would pay me back! (Never happened!)
On the car ride home I was in the back seat of the car with the puppies in my lap. The puppy I picked out for my sister stole my heart! Her eyes staring into mine was like a deep connection! I've never felt that type of bond my entire life even till this day! That short 30 minute car ride felt like hours, but in a good way! I felt like me and that puppy were talking through our minds! I didn't know how to explain it and still can't! But it was amazing and well worth the 3 year wait! When we got home with the puppies, I just couldn't let the puppy I chose for my sister out of my hands. My sister was all mad, so dad made me hand her over. My sister instantly dropped her on the ground!!! Said it's not the one she picked out!?!?!?! I was so mad she just dropped the poor puppy like that! I swear I felt the fall too! I screamed at my sister and grabbed up mine and hers and went to my room. I fell deeper in love with her puppy and felt less of a connection towards the one I picked. I decided I couldn't give my sisters pup up! Mom herd our little fight and my sister screaming "give me my puppy back". So she came out of her bedroom, and boy was she mad! She demanded we return all puppies but mine! Dad refused and they fought off and on for about 2 weeks then mom gave in and warmed up to my dad's, and sister's puppies. During those two weeks I had both my sisters and my puppies, and I was paying for the puppy food, I paid for their first puppy shots, and cared for them. I wouldn't let my sister even look at her puppy. She ran to our dad crying to him begging him to force me to give her puppy back, but mom went head to head with dad saying no, that she shouldn't have dropped the puppy the way she did!
Then one day I was at school and my sister played "sick" and stayed home. She snuck into my room and was playing with the puppies while I was gone. When I got home, the puppy I picked out was missing!! I freaked out and searched my entire room, destroyed it and then messed the house up trying to find the puppy! Mom came out her room again and was mad at me for making such a mess and kept asking me whats wrong. I didn't want to tell her I had lost one of the puppies and then she think I'm unfit to take care of them! So I ignored her question and that didn't turn out well... She grabbed my arm and screamed in my ear to listen and speak when she talks to me. I busted into tears and told her what had happen. She helped me look for the puppy. We couldn't find it anywhere in the house. Then my mom looked out our bathroom window and seen my sister playing with the messing puppy in the backyard! Turns out she liked the puppy I picked out and demanded I trade her and let her keep the puppy! I thought in my mind if I told her I liked hers more anyways, she would change her mind and demand hers back! SO I played it off as if I didn't want too. But mom said " Nyla give your sister that puppy so your dad doesn't make a fuse!" So I said " Okay fine you can have her and I'll keep yours! I made her pinkie swear in front of our mother to make sure she couldn't change her mind! Then mom walked me back into the house to my newly owned puppy and told me, "I told you were playing the hard to give card. I know you liked the other puppy more. I could tell by the look on your face and the way you would always fall asleep cuddled to that puppy. Nice move! I thought you well!" I hugged her and ran to my room and gave my puppy a name FINALLY! Her name was Delilah!
For 4 short months we were inseparable! I took her everywhere! We took showers together every night, we ate food together at ever feedings, we would go jogging everyday, and we would sleep together all the time. I even brought her to school with me once!
How and why was I able to?
Well my high school made us make a project based on emotional bonds and how we make the best of it. I put together this huge presentation with pictures of Delilah and I. It probably would have taken an hour to completely do. I didn't even get into 1/4 of my presentation when the school principle and a County Sherif officer approached me on the stage. I thought "ooohhh noo,,, I'm in big trouble!! For what? I didn't know, but I was worried I was going to have to take her home or she would get taken from me. NOPE! They started petting her and noticed how they couldn't distract her from keeping her sight on me. She focused on me and only me. She didn't let the two of them get her to move. She sat their all stiff and holding her head high! Didn't move a muscle! Everyone was impressed! The Sherif asked me if I would sell her! I told him no! They both laughed and took the mic from me and said "This is a lovely example of Love, Dedication, Trust, Bonding,Compassion and much much more! Please give around of applause for Delilah and Nyla!" I was then guided to leave the stage and was then guided to the office were principle and the County Sherif followed. Delilah could tell I was a bit nervous as to what was about to happen, so she walked side by side with me licking my hand the entire walk to the office. That was her way of trying to calm me down. The Principle and Sherif then proceeded to congratulate us on our performance and gave me an award for best presentation. My parents were there and watched us preform our presentation. They were also waiting in the office! Long story short we were invited to a Staff party of the school. I was told to bring Delilah with. When my parents dropped us off at the party, the Sherif met us out front. He said he has a surprise for us! Delilah thought the word "surprise" meant treats! So she started to wag her tale and spin in a circle. Then we walked through the doors to find about 20 German Shepherds lined up in a circle with their officers! They all greeted us and kept saying Delilah and I would make a great Police Force team when we are both old enough! They had a cake that was meant just for the dogs! It was fun a fun party!
Okay now you must be wondering why I said a short 4 months?
The reason it was 4 short months, is because Delilah got sick and died.. How did she die? Well she got very sick. How was this possible? Well my dad and my sister took care of their dogs while I took care of mine. They would leave their puppies locked up in a small kennel most of the day and then put them outside the rest of the day till the next morning! I felt bad and awful about it! I would sneak them into my bedroom through the window. Well my mom and I were told that my dad was keeping the two up to date on shots. He lied.. My sisters dog had this lime green discharge coming from her eyes. She started pooping awfully smelly poo's and they were a brownish red color. I looked up what it may be, and didn't know what to do. So I ran to mom and told her, we rushed her to the vet and found out she had parvo!!! And wasn't up to date on shots! Due to how sick she was, they said it wouldn't be best to up date her on her shots and said she may not live much longer! She quit eating and drinking a couple days later. So I spent 3 weeks force feeding and watering her every 6 hours. My dad and my sister refused to help and refused to admit they lied! After the 3 weeks were up, she was back to her self again. But then my dad's dog fell ill. I couldn't take care of him the way I did with my sisters. My so my mom forced my dad to take him in to the vet. They said he was treatable and they started this IV thing on his shoulders. They put some type of medication in his shoulders. They put soo much that he had this huge watery balloon bubble on his shoulders. The vet said not to worry, that his body would absorb the IV liquids over a few days and would be back to normal. It took a week but he was going strong after that! During the week of him recovering, I started noticing Delilah wasn't eating or drinking as much as she use to. And that she seems pretty tired most of the time. I took her to the vet and all tests came out negative! So the vet thought maybe she was upset with me for giving so much of my attention to the other two dogs. This was not the case.. Since we took showers everyday together, her eyes never developed the lime green discharge. We have a big backyard and I always just let her outside in the yard to do her potty breaks. So I had no idea she was pooping the brownish red colored poop..Until one day we were sleeping and I smelled it.. All over my bed and covers.. At 2am!! I rushed her to the nearest Emergency Vet I could find! (1 hour drive) !! They tested her for parvo and she tested positive!! This was only one week from the day she tested negative! The emergence vet said she was too far along.. That she couldn't be saved. I wouldn't believe it! I took her home and made her as comfy as possible and tried to force feed her.. She would through it back up and started shivering. I felt so awful.. I felt like my heart was being ripped out! 2 days later on August 11th at 11:53pm, she passed away. I buried her in my backyard. After that I couldn't bond with another dog that same way. I couldn't even look at a puppy the same way anymore. I eventually grew to thank her for her time we spent instead of being upset and depressed over her. I got my first puppy after Delilah's passing on December 2nd 2017. Her name is Nova and is a pure bred with pedigree Border Collie! I don't have the same bond as I had with Delilah but it's a strong bond none the less!
