By Alyssa Almes
Alyssa Almes is a senior at Temple University’s Lew Klein College of Media and Communication majoring in public relations. She prioritizes being involved on campus through being a member of organizations like PRSSA, Her Campus serving as a fashion and beauty writer and Delta Phi Epsilon taking on the roles of public relations chair and insignia chair. Alyssa feels passionately brand strategy, research driven work, and creating content that connects with others through storytelling. In her free time, you can most likely find Alyssa spending time with her best friend, her dog, and she is grateful to share a blog inspired by him.
“There is no love like the kind between a dog and a girl in her 20’s.” Though this quote came from a post I saw online, it resonated with me in a powerful way.
My whole life, dogs have been members of our family, playing their own unique roles in our family dynamic. The Beagle who joined our family when I was a year old, Guido, was given the nickname of my “second mom,” from my mother due to his caring and protective personality. I cannot imagine a world without a dog by my side. Luckily, this admiration for my pets brought me to meet my soulmate at 18. Blue, the sweetest boy I have ever met, who happens to be a Pomeranian.
When I started planning to attend college across the country, I knew the task would be difficult to face alone. My parents could not come with me, so I began considering taking a dog along as my companion. A casual late-night browsing session seeking available Pomeranians nearby, introduced me to a ball of fur who instantly grabbed my attention. Within 48 hours, he would be cuddled up in my bed.
It was love at first sight. The moment I met Blue he glued himself to my side. Without a doubt, we were destined to cross paths. Our connection was instantly strong, as if we met in a past life and finally were reunited again. Blue introduced me to a new side of myself, a side filled with so much love and care. He gives me a type of love that has motivated me to better myself with him else in mind
I will never forget bringing Blue on his first trip to the vet. I was so proud and relieved when I heard them say, “This is the healthiest puppy we ever seen.” His first trip to the groomer was the first time I felt pity mixed with amusement, receiving a call home on how he was too scared of the blow-dryer and would need to be picked up later than expected. The mundane activity of sitting in a coffee shop drive-thru was now full of light, fueled by Blue’s excitement to get a “pup cup.” The simplest daily tasks are so much brighter with his presence.
Holidays and celebrations have always been something our family values, but the addition of Blue has been nothing less than transformative. His first celebration with us was for an exciting milestone, his first birthday. With my newfound purpose of being a “dog mom,” it was critical I made sure his day would be filled with bliss. Blue is now four, and I can say with confidence, his birthday is a much bigger deal in our house than the human ones.
When his big day comes around, weeks are spent buying and wrapping toys, paired with hours of inflating balloons and hanging streamers around our house. We spend the day getting him ice cream and taking him out shopping for even more toys and treats. Festivities with Blue have taught me to be selfless, spending my time cooking him salmon before even thinking about my next meal.
With his birthday being over the summer, winter celebrations and activities also bring Blue endless joy. The joy in question is the ability to unwrap presents on Christmas, destroying the wrapping paper. Blue also finds excitement in simple pleasures like sitting on the couch with his humans, appreciating our presence while we are home from work and school.
While spending time on our couch, a cherished holiday tradition of ours is watching NBC’s National Dog Show Presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day. Our family discusses the hundreds of competing dogs while our dogs (we also love our Blue Heeler, Sage) watch with genuine interest. We make sure to cheer extra loud for the competing Pomeranian, acting as a representative for Blue and his breed.
The National Dog Show has always been a hit in our home for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs, an extra sense of excitement comes from knowing that the event is taking place nearby at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. This year it is set for November 14-15 with tickets going on sale in June at https://nds.nationaldogshow.com/.
Blue may not be walking across the stage on NBC, but he will always be my “Best in Show.” The traditions we share and days spent cuddled together on the couch are always worth celebrating. For now, we will continue cheering for the Pomeranian gracing our TV screen on Thanksgiving Day and making the most of each moment with the occasional “pup cup.”
As a girl in her 20’s, change has been a constant, but the unconditional love I have for Blue, my shining star, is like no other.
