Read that again. Just? I truly believe that people who say, "It's JUST a dog" or another favorite, "it's ONLY a dog" have truly never felt love. After I lost my first dachshund, Annabelle, due to old age and her heart murmur, I coped with looking at puppies. I know, I know, adopt, don't shop. I truly believe in that, but I believe in the dachshund breed and am completely obsessed. I found Ellanoir from a breeder in Georgia after I just came across the website. I really kept denying myself entertaining the idea of having a puppy. It had been so many years since I had a little baby to tend to. I really believe that Anna had led Ellanoir to me in a sense. To be honest, Ellanoir picked me.
I believe our companions pick us. We don't pick them. After our initial meet (I'll discuss that in a moment), Ellanoir was all about me. If I was in the floor, she was in my lap. If I was on the couch, she was nestled in my side. My favorite memory of play time with her is when I would lay on my stomach and hide my face. She would always dig until she got under my arms to my face and proceed to smother me with kisses. Once she felt like she accomplished her mission, she would lay her little head on my arm.
I'll never forget the day we brought her home. To let you in on a little secret (I don't tell many people), Ellanoir did not like me at first. She was about Randi in the beginning. It was an awkward half a car ride home, that was for sure. Randi and I made the swap out halfway on the drive. I finally got Ellanoir warmed up to me. She even found a comfy spot while we travelled home from Georgia. Needless to say, that spot gave me a kink in my neck. I complained then, but man, I would give anything to have that memory with her again. We stopped for food close to home with Ellanoir nestled behind my neck. I remember, and still laugh to this day with Randi about it. We were talking in the car, and I had just pulled out my burger. As my head was turned talking with Randi, I felt a slight tug on the other end of it. To both of our surprises, Ellanoir had woken up to the smell and decided to take a bite from the hamburger meat. From that day on, Ellanoir realized it wouldn't take much from me in order to get her way.
I had many nights with puppies and even kittens, but 14 years had been a very long time. The first night we had her home, we thought we had a great set up. I had her crate on my side of the bed, pretty much within reaching distance. Maverick at the time was 3. He loved his crate because we trained him that it was a safe place to be. Even 3 years, I had forgotten what it was like to have a needy pup. The first night was awful due to lack of sleep. She whined, she howled, and made the most noise to let us know she did not like being in the crate. The second night, we had devised a plan since Maverick was in the bed with us and she was so little. I had faced a chair right next up to the bed that had arms on the sides, so she didn't feel the need to get brave and jump or even fall off. In that chair was her own bed with tons of toys. I guess you could say it was like a co-sleeper. During the night, she figured out how to walk over onto the bed and yeah, you guessed it. Lay directly on top of my head. I will say though, she slept very peacefully, and I couldn't complain.
There were so many times when Randi and I would get home from outings and find Ellanoir, the culprit, standing proudful next to whatever she had destroyed earlier in the day. Honestly, we were shocked she had lived through the damages she would cause. Just to name a few; she chewed through a power cord still plugged into the wall that was part of our fish tank. Let's not forget the 3 power cords to computers, flip-flops, and the endless amount of Randi's lip balms.
Ellanoir had been with us through some minor life instances and some major life events. She was with us when Randi and I got married in December of 2017. She was around when I landed my first job that I actually stuck with, and I didn't job hop like I was so bad at doing. Honestly, she was around when Randi and I tried to become a family and started to grow up. She was with us during every argument, every celebration, and every sad moment we had endured. She stayed by my side when I had a life-changing surgery and always sat by the window watching me outside while I did woodworking after I decided to quit my 9 to 5 job. In October of 2022, we got a notice in the mail stating our rent was increasing $400 a month and we couldn't have more than one pet. By April of 2023, we had to move into my in-law's camper until we could find a place that would allow more than one pet and so I could find a well-paying 9 to 5 job. Of course, Ellanoir was there. She never looked at Randi or me differently. She loved every time we got home from work and spent hours playing out in the yard with her, Maverick, and Carmella.
By January of this year, Randi and I had saved enough funds to finally get us a home. We were so grateful and blessed. We moved in 2 days' time. Even with boxes piled on cabinets and on the floors, Ellanoir was there. We were able to provide a place to call home for all of our companions. During my lowest time in June of 2023, I felt like I was failing our babies because I thought it would be wise to quit my 9 to 5 job to pursue something I wasn't ready for. On February 1st, I remember sitting in the floor of our new home and Ellanoir had come up to me. As always, she was wanting to sit in my lap. I patted her side and reassured her this was all for her. I said, "I promised you we wouldn't stay there forever and here we are. We are home."
It's just a dog? You're wrong. Just a dog wouldn't let you learn how they function. Just a dog wouldn't share the lowest times with you. Just a dog wouldn't share life's greatest achievements with you. Just a dog wouldn't be happy that you're home.
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