I did not want a dog. I definitely didn’t want a “big” dog. And if I ever did get a dog, it wouldn’t be a dog with dark fur that would get all over my furniture.
So here I am, posting about my chocolate brown, English Lab/German Shorthair Pointer mix’s second birthday!
I know, I know. What even.
See, once upon a time (2 summers ago if you’re doing the math), my best friend’s dog had puppies. And I was completely disinterested - until her son handed me the little girl in the pink collar. My friend looked at me and said, “You’re keeping her aren’t you?”
“Uh-huh,” I nodded. So this is love.
It’s appropriate for me to share this here because I named my new puppy Lilly Belle, a perfectly Disney name without being too Disney. For those who don’t know, the Lilly Belle is the last remaining train car from Disneyland’s opening. Now it’s a VIP experience in the park, preserved and named in honor of Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian. Tour groups, Club 33 members, and a few lucky early birds get the opportunity to tour and ride around Disneyland Railroad in the Victorian-parlor style car each day.
This experience was on my 2020 bucket list since I intended to visit Disneyland for the first time (and TWICE, no less!) this year. And then, well…
2020 happened.
*sigh*
Being the completely EXTRA dog mom that I am – and also having missed Lilly’s 1st birthday last year due to a Disney travel training – I decided pretty early into quarantine that I wanted to do something fun to celebrate on June 2. So we had a little party!
Actually, it was probably Lilly’s best day ever. She spent the day at Camp Bow Wow with all of her friends and favorite counselors. In the evening, I took her to my family’s home to swim and play fetch in the pool (her MOST FAVORITE). And then we capped off the night with a doggie birthday cake from Three Dog Bakery, and special “people treats” from Cluck’s Cookies. She went to bed that night cuddling her new toys and didn’t move for a solid 12 hours!
I was also so thankful for a bright spot of joy amidst the uncertainties of the pandemic, racial violence & injustice, and economic uncertainty of this spring & summer. Which was strangely fitting... I truly believe Lilly Belle found me at a time when I needed her most. I didn’t know that I was about to face months of depression and anxiety, or that Lilly would be one of the most comforting and loving presences in my life over the past 2 years.
We really don’t deserve dogs, do we?
So, Sis – thank you for being my brightest star, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little Disney dog!!
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