To Coin a Phrase, “Word” It was on December 24th, 2002 that she was born, a Yorkie-Poo mix, in Cumming, Georgia at a private breeder’s home. I don’t know the details of what happened until she was weaned and advertised for sale. Based on her personality I would think she was shown love and attention during this period. I was going through the classifieds in the AJC on a Saturday afternoon in early February 2003 and for some reason decided to browse the pet ad area. I think the breeder’s business was called ‘Paws’, but I’m not sure. As the new owner of a small used sailboat, it seemed a good idea to go take a look at this breed advertised as Yorkie-Poos. I called the breeder to inquire if I could go there and view the 3 remaining pups. She said it would be fine and explained there were 2 males and one female, explaining the female had a higher price tag. On the way there, while stopping for gas I purchased a few lottery tickets. I actually won a few bucks, which was and still is unusual. The breeder’s house was located in a nice neighborhood when I arrived at dusk. The porch light was on and I was greeted at the door. After introductions, I was shown the 2 male pups at the base of the stairs going to the second floor. They were alert and very playful. Then carried down the stairs by the breeder’s young daughter was the female. I remember when she was placed near my feet she looked up at me, and instantly I knew this was the one. I didn’t care about the price at that point and was shown and given several registration documents, along with shot records. After paying the breeder she asked me if I already had a name picked out for her. I told her I did and that it was “Word”. She went over feeding instructions with me and answered a few other questions I had. This breed was not AKC registered it was something else, which I also do not remember as far as the name. On the return home around 20 miles away I knew I needed to stop at a pet store to purchase food, bowls, a collar, leash, treats, and a training crate. On the bench seat of the Dodge Ram I was driving in those days Word curled up next to my right leg and slept. After placing the purchases in the back of the truck, and opening the door to get in, she awoke and looked at me with beautiful eyes. During the remainder of the drive home she stayed next to my right leg in a relaxed position. Word was very quiet in her early months as we waited for summer and sailing season, except once. I had a sleep over one night who decided Word should be in the bed with us. That was it, one night in the bed and she began to become a bit boisterous if I went to bed leaving her on the floor. When summer arrived and we went sailing for the first time in 2003. She had her cute little life-jacket on, and enjoyed all the beauty of the lake and seeing different people and dogs. She was always well behaved around dogs of her own size, but when a larger dog, such as a Boxer or Shepherd walked down the dock, she had had to make her presence known. She is over that now, years later and though I never really understood what she was thinking in those days it was amusing to see how she wanted to be friends with and respected by larger dogs. The first time we anchored so I could cool off with a swim in the lake, she immediately let me know she didn’t like being left on the boat by herself or left out of a new adventure, I don’t which or if either. Within a few minutes she jumped from the bow of the boat and showed her natural exceptional swimming ability and love for being with and doing what people do. Around mid-summer that year we traded up for a larger sailboat which Word approved of. It was a higher jump to the water. Almost ten and a half years have passed now and we both have grown together. I know as does she that she is my best friend. Her love is unconditional and she has taught me much. I consider myself to be a lucky person for having found her that Saturday afternoon. For some reason, myself always wanting a daughter never happened. I would have named her Brandy, a beautiful name, and raised her well, taught her to swim, all the things people want to do for their children. Some might say that this is just a dream. For me, I can say that Word is a dream come true. Thank you for reading this, By JKG
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:17:58 +0000
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