For the longest time, my sister and I had dreamed of having a dog to take care of and love. When I reached 16, the time had finally arrived. One day my parents had heard through a work friend that someone’s Golden Retriever had given birth to a litter of puppies. They went over to their house to check out all the cuteness. Little did they know that they would be bombarded by a pack of snow-white fur monsters running around and peeing all over the place with the biggest smiles on their faces.
I will never forget that Tuesday afternoon in February, 2020. I came home from school and saw a big wet nose peeking through the crack as I opened the door. I had no idea my parents were finally taking that big step. It had been talked about for years, but the conversations always got shut down. I cannot put into words the joy I felt when I first saw this big fluffy puppy staring at me and from that day on, I’ve cherished every single moment with her. We decided to name her Evie because she was born on Christmas Eve and was our own little Christmas miracle.
In the proceeding months, we had to start off with a little trial, so we ended up watching my grandmother’s dog, Bugsy, for about a month. What we didn’t know is that there is a huge difference between small canines and big dogs like a Golden Retriever. Getting used to a feeding schedule along with a walking schedule was the main issue, my parents originally had with us getting Evie. When you love something enough though, putting in the effort just becomes second nature. Looking at something as pure as a puppy just fills your heart with joy.
When you decide to adopt or rescue a dog, you are doing such a great service to both the dog and yourself. There are so many helpless animals that are stuck without a home and loving family for various reasons. These dogs are some of the most innocent and pure animals ever and if you show them even one ounce of love and support, they will return it tenfold.
The more and more time I spent at home caring for Evie, it made me think how much I was missing before a dog came into my life. Now, I cannot imagine a life without a furry companion by my side. I was always a bit skeptical about whether or not I would be up for the challenge of caring for a newborn puppy, as they are a lot of work and need constant supervision to avoid the trouble that can ensue.
It is safe to say that Evie has a favorite and stands closely by her favorites both literally and figuratively. She does not like to leave my mother’s coattail. However, I can confidently say that I am a rival for the status of favorite. She shows unconditional love to any person who comes to our house and while on walks, she is one of the most joyful, friendly dogs you could ever meet. All she wants is pets and love and trust me, she gets plenty.
My experiences with Evie serve as a constant reminder about opening up our hearts and minds to new situations along with new people. There are so many great life values and lessons that we can learn from dogs, and I think it is amazing that the National Dog Show on NBC Thanksgiving Day puts a spotlight on man’s and woman’s best friend for a nationwide audience on the most family-centric day of the year.
While the TV special is centered around competition for best in show, it is more a celebration of the species with all of the emphasis on backstage grooming, new and exotic breeds and the wonderful havoc of 2,000 dogs and 10,000 people in the same place at the time. Over the years, the Macys Parade, the National Dog Show and football have become traditions in my family on Thanksgiving Day. We always make sure to tune in with Evie by our side, and we find ourselves smiling for two hours.
If you are in the Philadelphia area this fall, the National Dog Show is set for November 15-16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. Tickets go on sale in early June at www.NDS.Nationaldogshow.com. The TV special-The National Dog Show Presented by Purina-will air on November 27, Thanksgiving Day, from noon to 2 pm in all time zones. Can’t wait!