Creatures That Like Me Best

Yay – first post for me, y’all.

I would like to take a few minutes today to write a little about something, or rather someone, very close to my heart. I began this thinking I would do a general blurb about my extreme love of dogs and how much I get behind dog ownership. And that honestly people who don’t like dogs are stupid and those who don’t allow their tenants to have dogs should be hit with sticks.

It’s my post, I don’t have to be fair or open minded about this.

But then I thought I’d better pay homage to the individual who inspired this primal affection in me: my special little guy.

Miyagi came into my life three and a half years ago when I was on my way to get a cat, to help with a horrific mouse and roach problem, from the ASPCA on 92nd and 1st in Manhattan.

We strolled past the cat pen in the shelter when we first arrived, but something was drawing us to the dog kennels. Something inexplicable. I would not have been able to tell you why at the time, but now I realize that the hand of fate was pulling me to him: a ridiculous 5 lb lump of chutzpah and joy. The tag on the cage read “MR MIYAGI.”

He was the most pathetic dog there, not accepting the treat offered by the kind volunteer that was showing us around. We decided that despite his age – he was 9 years old, they told us – he needed to come home with us. That same day we paid the adoption fee and signed an agreement that said we were taking him home with the full knowledge that he was anorexic and sickly and we couldn’t sue the shelter if he died. Didn’t matter. Look at him!

Three years later he and I have a closer bond than I’ve probably ever had with a person. He follows me around when I’m home, naps when I’m not. Curls up into a ball against my back when we’re sleeping. Is riDICulously cute in the meantime. But he’s still got an eating disorder andhe’s not friendly to most people. In fact, whenever I’m not around, I hear, he is downright mean and bitey to the point where no one can feed him or take him out. Yep, little dude’s got an attitude problem. But that’s why I’m so enthusiastic about him, and chihuahuas in general.

Think about it: we live in a city that forces us to acknowledge, and ignore, thousands of people every day. Some of these people have more money than we do, some have better jobs, bigger homes, nicer families and sweeter personalities. It’s hard not to feel swallowed up, not to feel your own sense of special individuality slipping away from you.

Then, you come home. Here is a creature that, of allllll the people in the world, thinks you are the best. So much so that no one else is worth his attention or his unbelievable cuteness. This somehow makes everything much, much better. Some days I think people would all be more friendly if they had their own Miyagis waiting for them at home.