The Story of a Dog

One of the hardest parts about moving out of home was not having pets. There has never been a time in my life when I didn't have a pet. Many of my baby photos feature me with various animals and to this day I am that person that decends of cute dogs I see in the street, much to Cameron's embarrassment.

Cameron and I were driving home for Easter break in my first semester at uni. It was our first road trip in our new car and the weather was terrible. By the time we pulled off the highway it was a dark stormy night. We were nearly home when I saw something by the side of the road - a black and white dog. The animal lover in me could not leave her there. There was lightning and I was certain she would end up under a car. The car was imaculate and even still smelt like car shampoo, there was no way I was going to convince Cam the dog was getting in. I was however able to convince him to leave me by the side of the road while he went to the closest farmhouse. Thankfully the dog was theirs and both Cam and the grateful owner returned quickly. The dog had puppies we were told and felt the need to hunt rabbits for them. If we came back the following day we were welcome to have a look.

I had no intention of actually getting a dog, despite how much I wanted one. Cam however thought we should just go and have a look, afterall who doesn't love looking at puppies?

The puppies were in a small shed. Snuggled up in a nest of hay. Their mother was perfectly content for us to be there and the owner handed me the little girl, the tiniest little runt. We chatted for a while and looked around property which also housed a cattery, all the time the little poppet curled up in my hands. Her eyes weren't open yet she demanded my attention, yipping the second the pats stopped. After 20 minutes or so we returned to the shed and I gently placed her back with her two brothers. We couldn't have a puppy as much as we wanted one. We were walking away when there was a wobbly yipping from the shed doorway. Barely as big as a ball of wool and blindly finding her way, she had followed us. Our hearts melted.

In the month following Cam and I ummmed and ahhhhed about the logistics of having a dog. We had just moved into a unit. We were renting. It would be a nightmare. Everyone told us not to but our hearts were sold. On a rainy May night in Hobart Cam stood in a phonebox and called the breeder to say we would take the puppy as soon as she was 8 weeks old. We were already in love.

On a cold but clear June day we collected our bundle of fluff. It was possibly the craziest thing I have ever done. There were housing dramas and puppy school dramas. I had meltdowns over lack of sleep and puddles on the carpet and the only thing she ever chewed was a memory card containing precious travel photos. Perra came to uni lectures and on late night study snack expeditions. She has traveled all over the country and been smuggled into hospital rooms. She sits by my bed for hours on end when I am sick and loves to run with Cam. She is the most loyal friend and has made Cam and I a better couple. Happy Birthday fur baby! We love you even when you're naughty.