I recall the very first moment when she picked me up, my heart started racing. And my little tail was wagging to the rhythm of my heartbeat. There was no doubt, it was love at first sight.
It was a cold winter day when I first met her but in her arms, I could smell flowers, she was spring.
I was attracted by her voice, sweet and gentle as she whispered softly in my ears. I was in heaven when she gave me little kisses while cupping my head and caressing it in between my ears.
The trip home in the car was absolutely terrible, I felt sick but she took me on her lap and kept on reassuring me.
She understood my pain and solitude as I was leaving my furry mum and siblings. She is now my second mother but unlike me she only has two legs, no fur and quite tall, she is a human, you see.
Back in my new home, I realized that this new mother of mine had been waiting for me. I had a new cozy bed, lots of toys, some with squeaky funny noises and great tasting croquettes without forgetting all the yummy treats! I knew I would be spoiled and it pleased me. I felt loved, wanted, cherished and I also knew that I would do everything I could to make her happy. It’s a good feeling you know.
During the first two months, she would take me out every hour and a half to two hours, she didn’t want me to pee in the house, but sometimes I did and she was forgiving. She would spread some blue square papers on the floor and I had so much fun shredding them, she wasn’t too happy about that though… My new home is right in the center of the village by the church and so I quickly made new friends during my numerous outings. Little children would gather around and pet me. I relished all the attention.
I’ve forgotten to introduce myself: I am Sam, short for Samuel Thomas, I happen to have a middle name as well, Romeo, I was born November 16, 2020 (an ‘R’ year). I’m a Westie, a short-legged terrier and my race originated in the rocky regions of Scotland where it was bred to hunt badgers, foxes and other vermin. I’m a stocky, fast and agile little dog with an outstanding white coat and have a spunky and sassy personality too. I’m eager to please although I can be stubborn and strong-willed. I sometimes try to get away with doing the things I want to do like chewing slippers and socks, shredding papers I find in the bin, of course I play with my toys but it’s also so much fun to play with the things I’m not supposed to touch. But my mummy catches me most of the time and very often I hear the word “no”. I know what this word means but I pretend not to quite understand it. You see, I’m clever and cunning. She has another nick- name for me and I like it a lot because she gives me treats every time she says ”good boy”. I sleep in my parents’ bedroom by her side and before she turns the light off, she’d bend over to kiss me good night, her long hair cascading over me and tickling my nostrils. It is delightful. In the morning though, I go over to my father’s side and he can hear my toe nails clicking on the parquet floor, then, I’d signaled to him and sometimes make a gentle woof and lick him to wake him up. My favorite words in the morning are: “let’s go!” It’s my favorite time with him. After the walk he’d feed me and it’s another of my favorite time. Actually I have many favorite times, my long walks with both of them, especially when they let me off the leash and I can run to my heart’s desire, stop wherever and sniff picking up the different scents, enjoying the grass, the puddles, rolling in the mud…but always making sure to go back to them when I’m being called. There’s a routine I enjoy very much: each morning after breakfast, I get my cuddling moment with each one of them. I especially like when my mummy picks me up on her lap while she’s sipping her coffee. I like it a lot when I go out and meet the children and the villagers on the main plaza. Sometimes I go to my friend’s house and play with her in the vineyards. Happy is her name and she’s a bit older than me but very pretty, she’s a Jack Russell all white with amazing blue eyes. Together we run and jump and play rough-house. Unfortunately, she just left to go far away but I now have many other friends as I belong to a special dog club. Twice a week, I go and meet my buddies, some of them are very big but they don’t impress me much, I can hold my own and let them know I’m the boss! There’s some barking going on but we don’t fight. There, I have to learn new skills, walk on planks, go inside tunnels, sit, listen and behave (that’s the part I like the least) but it’s worth it because I get many yummy treats! Once back from those sessions, I am exhausted. In the evenings, I sit next to my mom on the sofa and watch TV. When I see other animals, I jump up and growl and bark at them. I find television quite entertaining and am curious about the other four-legged creatures.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I have another girl friend, a Westie like me, she is so beautiful, she smells delicious to the point of awakening my male animal instinct and I cannot resist but hump her. She’s very patient but sometimes gets annoyed and growls at me, that makes her even more irresistible. My parents are upset when I behave like that but her parents laugh about it.
Anyway with Lexi, we meet at the beach and run miles together. She likes to go into the sea but I’m a bit reluctant and don’t like the salty water much. Lexi is so much fun!
From the balcony of my home, I see the world go by on the main plaza and on a sunny day, I just lie there and bask in the sun, sometimes Fernand, one of our neighbors throws me a treat. I like our neighbors, you have guessed: I’m friendly and likeable and everyone has a treat for me. I’m a bit greedy you see and enjoy my food. Talking about food, my mom cooks regularly for me and she mixes it with the croquettes. I get a varied menu: Chicken, turkey, ground beef, fish, different kind of vegetable along with rice, lentils, sweet potatoes, couscous and quinoa. I eat it all! She uses olive oil and herbs so that I don’t get bad breath. My vet is very impressed and gives me compliments on the softness of my coat. Certain things I am not fond of such as having a shower once or twice a month, but I know it’s necessary if I want to keep my coat white.
I’m now 14 months old and I have adapted quickly and well to my new home. I don’t miss my furry family, my new parents are humans and I truly love them. I have a weakness for my mother though and when she’s not home I do miss her terribly. I like it when she speaks to me in French, she tells everyone proudly that I’m “bilingual”, but my dad being British adds: “that means he also disobeys in both languages!”. She thinks I’m the cutest and funniest and she calls me her “baby”, her “good boy” and she is the world to me. I am indeed very lucky to have them as my family.
‘La vie de chien’ after all is wonderful!