Pee Right, Pee Once

Dogs have always (and will continue to do so until the end of time) peed on objects to mark their territory. It's wired into their brains and they use it as a 'signature' similar to the way we endorse the backs of checks - except their checks are trees or fire hydrants. If you're a dog owner, surely you're familiar with the routine of walking them and pausing every so often for them to go through their ritual at a new tree or light post.

Not my dog. His focus is about doing the job and getting it done quickly. One pee - and he drains the full bladder. Efficiency is the name of the game for him. It most likely has something to do with the conditioning and routine that we've established together throughout our lives. There's one objective when we go outside: elimination.

He's a one-pee kind of dog.

The Right Decision

When I turned 21 ten years ago, I wanted to do something for myself as I crossed that milestone birthday. It was my college days, and as many people can attest to, those days tended to more often than not be filled with decisions that you may or may not regret in retrospect. As such, I was seriously considering getting a tattoo on my arm knowing full well that it's a fairly permanent choice that will carry with me for the rest of my life.

And then I decided to get a dog.

I flipped back and forth between the two choices, doing research/planning on both. I had given the tattoo design plenty of thought as well as started investigating and reading up on different dog breeds. As fate would have it, I saw an ad for puppies (I can't remember exactly but it may have been specifically for a dachshund) and decided to visit the locally owned pet store (All-Star Pets).

My friend Michelle gave me a ride and that was the first time I met Apollo. I saw him napping behind the glass display case, but he woke up as I approached and was quite eager to say "hi'. After playing with him in the little area sectioned off for socializing with the animals, I made my decision pretty quickly and without hesitation. The paperwork was done shortly there after, and the rest was history.

I had set out to give myself something special on my 21st birthday that would also have a long, life-changing effect. What I chose will without a doubt, have a larger and longer lasting effect on my life than any tattoo.

No Jingling Allowed

Apollo is a nudist. Alright well most dogs technically aren't wearing anything - except for their collar. My dog has one, but I only put it on him when we are headed somewhere that requires him to be on a leash. The two items (collar and leash) could basically be considered one piece of equipment.

A long, long time ago I came to the realization that Apollo's collar caused the fur under his neck to grow unevenly. It came in patchy and somewhat rough. I suspected it may had something to do with his collar rubbing against his skin so I decided to remove it to test my theory. Sure enough, his neck fur grew in smooth and evenly.

As a younger pup, Apollo enjoyed bounding from room to room - which resulted in a water-torture-ish jingling (due to his metal rabies/vaccine/name tags) that got very distracting. That was enough reason for me to allow him to streak naked around the house... wearing nothing but a smile.

The Reverse Alarm Clock

Like almost every dog on this planet - Apollo loves to sleep. Morning, afternoon, night... he enjoys dozing off and catching those z's. Ever since I gave in and started letting him sleep in my bed (less than 2 months after he came home with me 10 years ago exactly to this date) he has had quite an impact. Let me explain...

For one, he's a hog. He enjoys taking up the prime spots on the bed. You know what I means - right in the middle (especially after you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom). But the agreement still holds to this day: he gets to sleep in my bed, I get to push him around without compromise. So when I find him occupying a spot that I'd rather be in, he will be shoved aside (much to his chagrin).

He's very warm. This means he's a fantastic heat-generator in the winter and on cold nights under the covers. It also means he's a bit annoying in the summertime when he sidles up next to you. 

Without knowing it, he's quite the bad influence and can make anyone late for work by inadvertently convincing you to accidentally fall asleep just by snuggling with him. It's very hard to resist and takes incredibly strong will power to get out of bed while watching him sleep...

Trust me, I know.