What are your favorite animals?

#1 Easy. Dog. But for me is a very specific dog. My dog that sadly has passed away, Sammy.

Part 1

She was the best dog ever. And she is the dog I compare to.

I got her when I was thirteen from the pound. A funny-ish memory with my dad; that is a scarce thing. But my dad is the one who took me to the pound that day to pick out a dog. I had, had my eye on one; a golden retriever puppy. But sadly the puppy had to stay at the pound another 2 weeks before it could come home with me; that must have been too long because I moved on.

My dad had his own ideas about a dog he wanted a male German shepherd mix. A dog my mom specifically said not to get. That was my dad though. I of course, was not going to choose a dog against my mom, but I continued to walk through the pound in search of my dog. I knew I would know when I saw it.

I walked past each stall; getting more discouraged as I went. until I came up to one stall. The dog was black. A little fluffy. Mangy looking. The sign said lab chow mutt. I don’t know what it was, but I liked this dog. She was just sitting in the corner sleeping away. My dad tried to pull me away, but I stood rooted there. He continued on, and I still stood there looking at the dog.

I squatted down to be on her level when she woke up and almost fell over. The commotion must have woke her up, because suddenly there was a little dog head perked up looking at me. I saw sadness in her face. I was about to walk on, because I thought she was too skittish; but as if she knew, she stood up and slowly walked over to the fence and licked my fingers. It startled me. I had forgot I had my hand there. But she continued to lick my fingers.

I trusted her instantly. I shoved my fingers through the hole in the fence and began to scratch her ear. She almost my instantly collapsed into the fence and soaked up scratches. She pressed her side to the fence and I continued the petting session. I probably squatted there, petting her for almost 15min. I knew. This was my dog. My dad was still off somewhere looking At probably only German shepherds. But I continued to be squatted there scratching my dog. My dog Sammy. I previously had a different name picked out, but I still to this day have no idea what it was. But when I was petting her, I just said, “Good girl, Sammy.” And that was that. This was my dog Sammy.

Finally he came back. “Pop, I want this one.”

My dad looked at the dog , “I don’t think so, I found a really cute dog down the hallway. It’s ready to go home today and everything. Let’s go take a look,” he started to walk away.

I didn’t move; instead I struggled to stand up and pointed at Sammy, “No, I want this one.”

“No. This one looks mangy; probably she will attack you or run away the moment she comes to our home. Instead there is a good looking German shepherd puppy down the hallway. I’m sure you will like it,” he tried to get me to come with him.

“Nope. I’m good. I want this one.” I can be quite stubborn. Haha!

“But, I think you should keep your options open. This one might not be available today. Let’s continue to look. I’m not committed to any dog just yet. Not until you look at the other one.”

I knew that he was not going to be open to my dog until I looked at his…but I was not moving. Thankfully a worker came up to us and asked the question I was hoping for.

“Did you find a dog you liked?”

“No, we are….” My dad tried.

“Yes. This one.” And I pointed at Sammy.

The worker looked at me, then at Sammy, then at my dad, “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m positive. I want this dog for my birthday.” Yeah I forgot that part. I was getting a dog for my birthday. My parents agreed I was old enough for a dog. So my dad brought me to find a dog. And I found her! “Can we start the process?”

“Oh. It’s for your birthday. Then of course you should get the dog you picked. Right, dad? If your daughter choose this one, and is adamant, you should trust her choice, right?”

Thank you worker. But oh! my dad is going to be pissed on the drive home. At the time I was terrified for the drive home, but not scared enough to give up on Sammy. My dad just nodded, but I knew he was not happy.

The worker grabbed the small sign and walked us to the office. I looked back and Sammy must have felt abandoned and walked slowly back to to her corner. ‘I’m coming back for you.’

We got to the office and the person in charge handed me a slip to fill out. The normal stuff, but I also got to put Sammy’s name on the line for name!! It was an exciting moment. But then came the time for paying. Thankfully my mom had planned ahead and gave me a $20 bill, because my mom knew that if my dad didn’t get his way he was not going to pay.

The worker said, “Okay, that will be $15. Who will be paying?”

As I expected my dad didn’t react; so I pulled out the $20 bill and said, “Of course me. It’s my dog after all.” It was done. She was mine. I fought for her!! They also let me sign on the dotted line since I payed.

Sammy would be ready in two days. They had to give her, her shots and spay her. But she was mine. It was done.

I thanked the workers and walked out of the office with my receipt. I was so proud, that I forgot all about my dad. I turned and he had not followed me out of the office.

I sung open the door and my dad just said, “maybe have that German shepherd puppy ready to go in two days too and maybe she will change her mind.”

I rolled me eyes. The workers looked uncomfortable. I yelled in the door. “No need. Sammy is all I want. Come on Pop, let’s go home and prepare the yard for Sammy.”

That ended the topic. Sammy was my dog. I would fight for her!!

.-.-.-.-.

I know this post was meant for multiple animals, but Sammy is…well now, was my favorite. I think I’ll continue the story tomorrow. The story of Sammy is a fun one.

But now you got a glimpse into what my dad was like. I think this result only happened because I was his favorite child. Which sickens me. The only reason for that, was because he had control over my swimming. Also (not to brag) but I won races a lot. I gave him so much pride. He gave me too much pressure, but he didn’t care. Which is why I think he allowed my behavior that day. Because he needed me to continue to fuel his vain side in the future.

But I’m happy for that. For once in my life I was happy I was his favorite; because I did get the best dog that day!! My family would agree.

(Also I’m not against German Shepherds. I just for one didn’t want a male dog. I wanted a female. And German shepherds have lots of energy. I wanted a more mellow dog. I wanted a dog that would be content in our small backyard. Nothing against German shepherds.)

Part 2 to follow.