The Sock Bandit

Apollo - like all dogs - went through his destructive phase when he was a young puppy. I had figure out a way to withstand his chewing habits and minimize the financial hole that he was gnawing in my wallet.

Squeaky chew toys went right out the window as an option. They lasted about as long as the time it takes to microwave your TV dinner. Within minutes, the squeaks would be completely extinguished and bits of plastic, fur, or stuffing would be all that's left of a massacred animal. I had to find something else (and quickly) as anything that had either a soft or fuzzy quality all of a sudden had a shelf-life in my house.

One day as I was sorting my dirty laundry with Apollo watching intently, I dropped a sock on the floor. "A new toy!" I saw in his eyes... as he quickly scooped it up and ran off with his prize to evaluate closer on the other side of the room (away from poachers who might want to steal it back) before deciding to shred it into a hundred pieces. I didn't think much of it and decided not to attempt recovering it, as that sock had a small hole and was ready to be retired anyways. It suddenly dawned on me that this was exactly what I was looking for.

In additional to providing comfort for your feet, I came to realize that socks (especially worn and dirty ones) was one of Apollo's favorite things to play with. There were so many uses: we played fetch using them, stuffed them with treats and toys, I used it as a glove when he plays play-biting with me. And to this day he still loves the freshly worn, stinky ones that he steals right off my feet.

The way he runs away with a sock in his mouth, prancing around the room... reminds me that he will always be my little sock bandit.

My Co-Worker

I'm pretty lucky to have had a job in the past 2 years where I have the luxury of working from home. I won't get into the PRO's and CON's of having this privilege as it pertains to productivity and flexibility, but I do feel very fortunate to get to spend so much time at home with Apollo...

...even if he's sound asleep about 80-90% of the workday.

Having him to keep me company throughout the day really is a blessing. His presence will at the very least, keep me from going insane due to lack of interaction with people things. From our morning routine of going outside for the bathroom and breakfast immediately after, to him joining me for lunch on the couch, to occasionally (randomly) wanting to play, to afternoon naps, and eventually reminding me it's time for dinner... he's there with me all day.

Watching him sleep in his bed at my feet under my desk is better than every screensaver ever created.

I'll Be Back

One of the things I've always wished my dog could understand from me is: I'll be back, I promise.

Dogs are pack animals. To domesticated dogs, we (humans) are their pack. They want to be near us, around us, and acknowledged by us. But because of our inability to communicate or capture what it is that we want them to know (with relevant context and detail), they are left to decipher and interpret situations on their own without definitive answers.

When I leave my apartment, I know he wishes he could come with me. Over time, I believe that he has learned the various tip-offs and clues for opportunities in which he is allowed to accompany me (such as me gathering his blanket in which he sits on inside my car). If those things don't happen, he prepares for alone time and heads into my bedroom quietly. He doesn't know why I leave or how long I'm going to be gone for. I'll always feel bad about imposing that uncertainty onto him.

One of the best and most cherish-able moments in any dog owner's life is the moment that you open the door and see the look in your dog's eyes. They are filled with happiness, excitement, and words that they cannot form but exude with every leap and bound. You are the most important person to them at that moment in time and nothing else matters. Nothing is on their mind except unconditional love and "Welcome home, I've missed you."

I love coming home to my dog and I hope to never break my promise to him.

What We See

Apollo has big brown eyes. They are the same color and match the brown/tan that is on his cheeks, paws, and feet.

When I look into his eyes, I see him looking back at me. Inquisitive, curious eyes that are trying to figure out the world. Up close, face to face, I can see comfort in those eyes (because I am physically close to provide a sense of safety and familiarity). When he looks at me from a distance, he is studying our surroundings and taking in evidence to figure out what my motive might be so that he can react accordingly. Dinner, bathroom, toy, play... these are all possible options that he gathers through observation with those eyes.

His eyes tell me that he appreciates and loves me unconditionally. And I always look right back at him, hoping that he sees the same thing from me.

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.

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.