Let me introduce you to the best birthday present I ever received: Henry!
As an animal-lover, I’ve always loved going into Petsmart on Saturdays. Well, loved and hated it at the same time. You see, Saturdays are adoption days at Petsmart, which means the store is filled with adorable little critters in desperate need of a loving home. Visits to the store would play out like this:
CCK: Mom, can we please adopt a dog? Pleeeease?
Mom: Katie, we have a dog. Molly would not be happy if we forced her to share the limelight with another dog.
CCK: But otherwise they’ll go back to the shelter, and many of them will be put to sleep!
Mom: Don’t think about it; it’s too sad, and we really can’t adopt another dog. Your dad wouldn’t allow it.
About a week before my eighteenth birthday, Molly needed dog food. A trip to Petsmart was in order. And it just so happened to be a Saturday. By now, I knew not to even ask if we could adopt one of the wide-eyed, tail-wagging pups at the store. Resigned to my one-dog life, I silently cuddled with an especially-spunky puppy. So my jaw almost fell through the floor when:
Mom: Would you like to take him home?
CCK: That’s really mean. You know how much I want to save one; why would you joke about something like that?
Mom: What if I’m not joking? It’s almost your 18th birthday.
CCK: (Still not letting herself believe it.) You said Dad wouldn’t go for it. Nor Molly.
Mom: I don’t know, Katie. He’s really cute. Your dad couldn’t stay mad at a face like that for long. And I bet Molly would at least tolerate him, if not learn to love him.
And so…
It always makes me sad to see all the dogs for sale in pet shops (mostly from puppy mills). Why buy a puppy when you can rescue one as cute as Henry? It’s cheaper and you’re saving a life! Henry came from an abusive home, so he was terrified of people, animals, and especially feet when we first brought him home. In fact, it was months before we even knew he could bark. But the poor (well, not anymore) guy has come a long way. Nowadays, he is the ultimate lap dog, ad you can’t stop him from giving you kisses!
My favorite bday present was my baby kittens… ok they’re not kittens anymore but I still think of them that way 🙂
Aww, what a cute dog! That is such a great present.
My favorite birthday present was on my 19th birthday and my boyfriend took me to Michael Mina for dinner and gave me a ring he bought made out of a vintage 1930’s button. Haha. I usually cry on my birthdays but that was my best birthday yet and no crying!
Katie, that is the sweetest story. Henry is sooo lucky to have you! It really does make me sad to think of all those poor abused and also orphaned animals suffering out there. That’s why I ALWAYS tell people to adopt a pet rather than getting one from a pet store or breeder.
wow katie….I must say that doggie is quite adorable. My best birthday present was also a dog that my parents adopted for me from a shelter. It was kind of like what happened to you – we already had a dog but I wanted another one really badly and finally my parents gave in. He’s a miniature poodle who was originally given the name “Peewee” by his foster mom but I had to change it. He was only a peewee because he was soooo skinny having been a stray. I changed it to Cheddar. I really don’t know why since I hate cheese…I just thought it was a cute name I guess.
My best birthday present? That’s so hard! I have had so many meaningful ones, I don’t think I could choose!
Henry is ADORABLE!!!!!!
<3 jess
xoxo
Awww Katie, he’s so cute! I miss the pups and kittens at Mum and Dad’s place (they have two dogs and three cats) but I live interstate now in a share house so I can’t have pets.
I do have a fish called Eddie though – that’s as good as it gets for me at the mo!
Katie!! I miss you so much! I’d been gone for so long … hah! but now I’m back 😀
Yessss I wanted a dog SOOOOOOOOO badly, but my parents absolutely REFUSED to go through the process of losing another dog again 🙁 Ne tips?
I’m going over to ya coconut contest right NOW
Jen,
I hope you see this message! I’m not ignoring all your sweet comments. But every time I send a reply email, it comes back as undeliverable 🙁
I adopted my little pup, Matilda. I am so lucky to have stumbled upon her.. but I really think it was destiny because me and her are a perfect match. I agree with you on adopting being the way to go. So many puppies need wonderful homes.
Best birthday present? My dad walked into the room when I was watching TV and announced that he booked us a flight to spend a weekend in NYC for my 16th birthday 😀
Best Birthday Present = Love <3
Corny but so true.
Awww, Henry is super cute, and I’m so glad that he is in such good care now 🙂 He is obviously well-loved by the chocolate covered family!
I never got a puppy for my birthday (it was just a random day, hehe), but this year, I received so many wonderful cards with heartfelt messages. I really felt so thankful for the amazing messages people sent me and truly felt their love shining through (as cliche as that sounds!). Messages, notes, letters, and cards really make me happy =)
Henry is adorable!
I can’t think of my best birthday present ever – that’s such a hard question – I always love what I get! I’ve never gotten anything as cool as a dog though 🙁
OMG Your dog is so cute! Dogs are just about the best kind of pet in the world =) I love mine <3 haha
Hm…best birthday present? I never got my dog as a present, but I did get to go to Disneyland for my birthday so that was pretty much the highlight of my year haha The happiest place on Earth =)
What a cute story! I am so glad you brought Mr. Henry home–I love seeing his pictures on your blog:)
There is NO WAY I could top your birthday present…but I gotta say, I was pretty psyched when I got my Magic Bullet for my 16th birthday…
Henry is absolutely adorable! I believe 100 percent that we should adopt animals from shelters. Its really sad to think about all the ones who end up being put to sleep–even in “no-kill” shelters. I volunteered at one for 1 year and found out horrific things that I hate thinking about :(. I did end up bringing home a beautiful puppy though :).
keep inspiring!
Aww, what an adorable story and adorable pup! Your mum is right – nobody could stay mad at that face. How old is Henry? Does he get along well with our other dog?
I spent the better part of my Thursday evening at the Humane Society cuddling with all the cats and dogs. (In their new building the public can walk right in the life rooms and cuddle with all the animals – I love it!!) Why I was there? My brother adopted a puppy!! It was his birthday present to himself. We always adopt our furry friends from the shelter – I couldn’t think of going elsewhere.