Anniversary Dog

This weekend was my dog's and my four-year anniversary. I got him on June 28th while my boss was away in Japan. I had gone to the pound with a friend who wanted to look at the kittens, and I found myself wandering into the dog room. Anyone who has been to a pound knows the telltale noises and smells in the dog room. Frankly, even if you are a dog person...it's not pretty. It's a caucaphony of barking, howling, growling, and chain link clanging. Then there is the fine aroma of more excriment than one should ever be exposed to. I spotted the Gooz right away. He was a big, white lab, and he was absolutely silent. He was sitting pretty in the back of his cage, but as soon as he saw me, he ran to the front, sat down, and threw up a paw, imploring me to "get him outta there." I didn't. I had a small apartment and I was in grad school. I over-analyzed it.

By the next morning, I had convinced myself that he was supposed to be mine, and that if I didn't get there by the time the pound opened that morning, he would be gone already. To my amazement, he was still there. I took him home right away, named him Ollie (which soon became Monsieur Oliver, then Oliver McGuzzio, and then "The Gooz") and then to PetSmart to begin the spoiling that must commence as soon as someone adopts a pet. He walked around, checking everything out, standing still for kids to pet him...an absolute doll. He sniffed, he eyed the 40 lbs bags of food, and then he lifted his leg and peed all over the iams display. I don't know if he was claiming at his or what. Wow, I got myself a classy dog. Pee in the nasty concrete pound stall with a drain in the floor, no way. Pee in the lovely PetSmart in front of a mother and children, yes!

Is it any wonder that a little over a year later on my first date with my now husband, we went to the dog park, and the Gooz decided to kick the date off by peeing on the camp chair of a woman who was there with her dog. Did I mention she was sitting in it at the time? But, to be honest, I am glad that the Gooz peed. It was a test, I think. A test for Tom. Who passed with flying colors when he turned to me and said, "What did she expect....it is a dog park after all. I would't bring my best camp chair here and expect it to come out clean." Now that's a keeper.

So in honor of the Gooz in all his flabrador peetriver glory, his matchmaking skills, and our anniversary, the pup received a piece of doggy heaven.....canine carrot cake from Three Dog Bakery. And I got a sloppy, carrot cake breath kiss. Happy Anniversary Gooz! I'm glad we found eachother.