It's The Pup Pup!

by Kristin Bond
(Germantown, Ohio, United States)

I got my best friend, trail riding partner, and protector in December of 2009. I picked up this little ball of merle fur out of a playpen. The breeder out of London, OH decided to bring her pups to a local rodeo near my house. I was living on my own, and honestly was tired of coming home to an empty house. I had no intentions of getting a dog, but his little eyes caught mine. I was immediately drawn to him. Something about this little puppy just immediately tugged on my heart.

I had looked at puppies before, and nothing really set off that feeling. Beagle puppies, Shepherd puppies, Lab puppies, all cute but nothing like what I felt that night. This was meant to be. I held him close to my chest that whole rodeo, within close distance to the breeders post. My boyfriend at the time saw this little puppy and rolled his eyes. I reminded him Christmas was coming up, and needless to say we put a deposit down on him. We picked him up the next weekend and I knew this would be a relationship I would never regret.

Since then he has been my gift sent from God. A friend, a warm nose, and a cuddle buddy when it gets cold. When I cry he is right there licking the tears and climbing in my lap to comfort me. At fifty five pounds he still gets in my lap. He herds cattle, accompanies me every day to clean stalls and go on rides with my horse. He protects me against anyone that could be a threat to me or my apartment. He knows any command I have ever asked him to learn. And at one and a half years old he has already impressed me beyond my wildest dreams. Everyone compliments him and his amazing intelligence and beautiful appearance. He is my best friend, and he will until god takes him from me. My Axel, my pup, the love of my life :)