Back in 1999, after much soul searching about what I wanted to be when I grew up, (assuming I was ever gonna grow up, that is) I decided I wanted do something with dogs...a trainer or groomer or doggie daycare. (An idea that I wouldn't put into action until some 3-4 years later.) I also decided I needed a much more substantial dog besides Yorkshire Terriers to go along with my new career path. No offense to Cornelius and Annabelle. Non taken said they. I grew up with Dobermans and even adopted an older one in my early 20's (some XX years ago) but never had one of my own from puppyhood. Puppyhood? Is that even a word? I'll consult with Webster later. Anyway, a Doberman seemed like a logical choice. I hit the internet looking for breeders. Apparently the universe was in line with my thinking (long before "The Secret" came along) because there was a local breeder who just-so-happened to have a litter of show quality Doberman puppies for sale. CHA-CHING! I called her up and away Dave and I went to see her puppies. On the phone the breeder told me that SHE would pick out the puppy for me. In my head I was thinking "oh no you ain't!" As it turns out, she was a very experienced breeder and matched me up to one of her puppies based on my experience (or lack there of) with raising a Doberman. Having never actually raised a Doberman, she matched me up perfectly with one of the more docile puppies in the litter. Yup that's right, a pups personality is already established as soon as they pop into the world. OK they don't exactly POP in, they sort of oooze in. Gross! It turned out to be a good match and thank God (or thank DOG as I like to say) because later on when other customers of the breeder and I showed up at her obedience class, Alexis' litter mates were a ruckusing, out-of-control bunch of devil dogs. And there was Alexis, a little rowdy but a dainty princess by comparison to her brothers and sisters who's owners arms were being pulled out of their sockets. Hey, better them than me!
Back to the story... Before we even met Alexis, I had a name all picked out for our puppy too. At the moment it escapes me so I'll have to ask Dave; he remembers everything! So off we went to see all the puppies. (I think I already said that part but whatever.) There they were were, about 8 pups in a pen, their ears all taped up looking like little canine aliens. There were a few black and tan pups and also a slew of brown and red ones. We wanted the traditional black and tan. Each pup had a different color yarn tied around their neck for identification purposes. We liked the one with the pink yarn. She was in the front of the pack bouncing around; a fine specimen. Yes, we'll take HER! Alas, she was already spoken for. By who you ask? By none other than the breeder herself, that's who! I guess we DO have good taste in dogs. Our breeder pointed to our puppy...the one with the white yarn; the quiet, loser in the back, facing away...not even looking at us...not even giving a rats ass who we were. No bother, the minute we picked her up we were hooked! And that name I had picked out before...GONE! Her real name came to me in a flash (as most things do); ALEXIS CARRINGTON. (Don't ask!) We put our deposit down and after a few more visits and once she was ready to be taken away from her mother, we went back, paid the remainder of the hefty sum and loaded baby into the car and life with a Doberman as we know it today began.
Oops sorry folks Dave doesn't remember the name we had picked out either so that part of the blog (and Alexis' life) will have to remain a mystery.
Today's comment on current events is the undeniable tragedy of the passing of Michael Jackson. When you watch his life all together in one consecutive montage you realize how much of a musical genius he really was. Let's remember him for the amazing entertainer that he was, let's feel empathy for the strange and sad private life he led and let GOD deal with Michael's demons.
Until my next blog i leave you with this..."Whoever said money can't buy happiness forgot about puppies"
WOOF! WOOF!
