Finding the Silver Linings: EllaBanana

Today Ella turns 2 years old and although I've only had her for 20 months of those 2 years it feels like she's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. She really is very important to me in my life (maybe it's some paternal instincts inside of me that are surfacing) but i feel a very special and strong connection with my dog that is pretty hard to describe in words. She has been a consistent source that has always found a way to cheer me up even through some of the most toughest moments in my life. Always wanting to play and yet somehow knows when I'm having a terrible day and does the one thing I want when i'm in that mood; just being there. Maybe this is the one thing I love about Ella more than anything else; although she's a dog and obviously there's no way for her to fix any of the problems I'm going through in my life, she doesn't necessarily try and fix it. Ever have those moments when you're just having an incredibly shitty day and the one thing you want most of all is to just not think about it for a moment; not looking for a solution to fix the problem because some problems can only be fixed by yourself, rather, just want someone there to slowly take you out of that mood and comfort your mind and soul through the process.

I can't believe that 20 months ago was when she entered my life. She weighed 4.1 lbs and I rushed to the shelter once adoption opened because I had a feeling she would not stay unadopted for long. When I grabbed the ticket number at the shelter that was the longest 20 minutes of my life; fearful that anyone would adopt her before I could. After making the decision to adopt her I witnessed at least 2 or 3 more people who wanted to adopt Ella or her sister Izzy... and could you blame any of them? This was the VERY first time I met Ella and her first reaction? was to kiss me unconditionally:

It was love at first sight and fortunately she found her forever home with me. She went form 4.1lbs to now 8lbs... it's a little hard to imagine that she's grown twice the size she was when i first got her. She still seems tiny even today, yet to be half that size and she was only 4 months old on that lovely day I took her home.

This is to the ultimate companion that's always knows how to put a smile on my face at the end of the day. Today is her birthday and so I'm going to try and find her a cake and play with her as i do every day but today is her day... so no training today... instead just nothing but endless playing and all the naps she wants....

and in tradition i would like to repost one of my favorite posts about Ella.... with new pictures of course....

If your dog could talk, these are some of most important things she would like to tell you...

1. "My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two."

2. "If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed."

3. "Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don't feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me."

4. "Don't stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!"

5. "Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can't comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you're telling me by the tone of your voice."

6. "Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it."

7. "When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you."

8. "Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven't been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can't do what I used to do."

9. "Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels."

10. "Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can't handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side. Remember.... my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life."

Happy Birthday little girl.... =)

This morning as i was putting my garbage cans away from my driveway, this lady was walking down the sidewalk with flyers in her hand. I stopped to say hello because i don't want my neighbors thinking i'm some crazy lunatic and she walked up and said hello and asked if it's alright if she places a flyer on the lamp-post in front of my house. I was like sure, is everything okay? her cat has been missing for 4 days now and she's putting up flyers to try and hopefully find her lost pet. She told me she'd been crying for the past 4 days now hoping her cat will be found and i couldn't help but immediately think of Ella and what i would do if she were ever lost. I don't ever forget how much a pet can mean to someone, they are your companion through and through and i can say without a doubt that they are always there for you. even though they can't talk your pets know more about you and what your mood than you think and i am hoping that my neighbor's lost pet story ends with a happy ending. i know that i will definitely keep a lookout for her lost cat and hopefully they will be reunited....