barker & meowsky staffer falls in love

I have never considered myself a dog person. Dog’s always struck me as needy – always jumping all over you, licking every inch of bare skin, etc. But for years I’ve often said that if I were ever going to get a dog, it would be a long-haired Chihuahua (my good friend having one that was sweet natured and very quiet).

After living in Chicago for 2 years my career was going swimmingly and I had an apartment that I loved. In late December of 2006 I decided that the New Year was THE year that I was going to adopt a little bundle of joy.

After all of the holiday craziness was over I began browsing the websites of various rescue organizations throughout Chicagoland. My only stipulation is that I wanted a smaller dog, my apartment being less that palatial.

One day, I was browsing through www.pawschicago.org and saw a picture that caught my eye. This one:

"Mollie" in 2007

I showed everyone this picture. My boyfriend, my colleagues, I even sent it to my brother in Canada. Not everyone shared my enthusiasm - my good friend A.B. said she looked like a fear-biter. I checked the website at least twice a day, making sure that the little long-haired Chihuahua (named Mollie) hadn’t been adopted yet. Finally, I broke down and filled out the online adoption form and called to book an appointment.

I was so nervous that I asked Alice (Ms. Meowsky herself) to come with me and give her honest opinion. On a cold February day, Alice and I jumped into the car and headed down to the adoption center on 26th street.

Once we had checked in with the staff, they brought Mollie out for us to meet. PAWS has gotten her from Animal Care and Control, so no one really knew what her life had been like before she was picked up as a stray. The staff thought that she had had a litter of puppies, though she was only around a year old. She was so tiny and thin, her ribs being very prominent against her coat. I knew immediately I wanted her, there was only one problem. Like many strays, she had already bonded with the PAWS staff because they had treated her so kindly and given her so much love – she was very, very shy of me.

Luckily, little Mollie had an Achilles heel – treats! The staff gave me some treats and the next thing you know I was able to coax her onto my lap. I really wanted her, but decided that I would foster her first, to make sure it was a good match and that she could warm up to me on her own.

That evening, my boyfriend Joseph and I are discussing potential names. I had promised to let him choose the name, but I retained veto power. After tossing some names out that just didn’t work Joseph suggested a Spanish name – I didn’t love the name but said I enjoyed the idea of an exotic name, I thought a French name would be terrific. Then Joseph said “What about Soleil?” and we both knew instantly that this was the perfect name.

Soleil was a little tentative for the first night, though she did curl up next to me, but in the morning everything changed. She woke early and crept up onto my pillow and curled up right next to my head and that was it - we’ve been inseparable ever since.

Now, as her second birthday is rapidly approaching, she is happy, well adjusted and just a little spoiled, but despite all things I have given her I truly believe she has given me so much more. She is the light of my life and I am grateful every day to wake up with the Sun - even on the cloudiest day.

If you have any questions about adopting a dog, please feel free to send any questions to paul@barkerandmeowsky.com.

Soleil today - my little ray of sunshine!