For as long as I can remember, my family has been filled with furry friends. Ever since I was born, we have always had two cats, but eventually, that crew grew. By 2018, our family evolved into five humans (Brad, Kim, Rachael, Kennedy, and me), four dogs (Jackson, Dawkins, Coach, and Geronimo) and two cats (Moses and Peyton). It was a house filled with joyful madness. At first, my parents were reluctant to get any kind of dog, but after experiencing two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, they could not stop. However, as the oldest and only son in the house, something was missing. I had great companions, but it felt like my true friend was still out there.
Over the years, our fuzzy friends got older, and time went on. My parents were unsure of getting new companions as replacing the members of our original gang felt wrong. With time, Rachael and I both came to believe that we needed a new friend and one that would best fit our personalities. This resulted in us begging for a strong and playful companion. By 2021, we ended up finding a King German Shepard Husky mix and as a compromise, my parents found another energetic Cavalier. Our Cavalier became Thor for his fearlessness and Rachael named our German Shepard Kiba after a dog trainer and shinobi in the show Naruto. Kiba and Thor instantly became brothers themselves and were welcomed into the family with open arms and plenty of new toys.
Kiba started off as a puppy with sharp pointed ears, but his small size did not last long. Almost equivalent to his energy tank, Kiba continuously grew without missing a beat. From a little puppy to a 135-pound behemoth, our big-eared friend was turning into a gentle giant right before our eyes. I constantly took it upon myself to play with him, acting as if I was another big dog competing against Kiba.
We instantly became best friends, and he had filled the void of a child longing for a big dog. He is a friendly monster. Kiba has given me pure happiness with just a lick and a smile. From opening the back door with his nose, to opening people’s Christmas presents, and grabbing Amazon packages, Kiba has become more than just a pet. He is the family protector, class clown, nature observer, movie watcher, and my best friend. He is truly one of a kind.
My love for dogs does not stop with just my own, but for all breeds. From running in dog parks, to watching funny home videos and competitions, watching and playing with dogs in any fashion is always an enjoyable pastime for my family and me. Every year as we prepare to give thanks and remember why we are lucky to be here; my relatives and I start Thanksgiving Day with the National Dog Show Presented by Purina. We each pick our favorites to win and sit with our own furry friends. They would probably make the judges smile but fail to listen and podium. Although play is far more important to our animals, that doesn’t stop them from eyeing up the television when they see a furry friend they would like to sniff and greet. While the dog show has been a staple within my very own household, it has taken on a new meaning for me this year.
This year I have had the gracious opportunity to work on the National Dog Show, which adds a new feeling of joy to my family’s annual watch. The event itself is taking place on November 15 and 16 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center with tickets on sale now at nds.nationalshow.com. Join us and twenty million others to find out who wins Best in Show this year! However, if you are unable to attend, the two-hour special will be airing on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, from Noon to 2 p.m. in all time zones. We hope to see you in person!