One Year of Love & Happiness

On September 12, 2010 I was adopted.  That was the happiest day of my life.  I was getting a permanent home.  I had a great Foster home and a wonderful & loving Foster Mom, named Breanne Alcox who took care of me & my six other siblings.  Here is the comment from Brea back in September of 2010:

Hi, my name is Breanne Alcox and I was Nikita’s foster mom. I just wanted to say how much I love your site. Nikita and her brother, and sisters, came to me at 14days old when their mother died of poisioning. I had to feed all 7 puppies (1 boy and 6girls) every 1.5 hours throught the day/night. They all fought hard to live, and made it through some hard times. I feel so blessed to know she found a great home with your family. It puts my heart at ease knowing she is truely loved. I will watch your site to see what an amazing dog she turns out to be. Thank you again…she was loved be me and my family, and now by yours. What a happy ending it is!

I remember that day I was adopted as it was so vivid.  My new Daddy & Mommy arrived at PetSmart that day just to buy kitty food, but they saw that the APL was holding a pet adoption outside, so they went over to see all the kitties and puppies.  They spotted me with my other siblings, just running around looking adorable, and they picked me up – – that is all it took, as they were hooked.  They set me back down for only a few minutes to talk amongst themselves, then they turned back around, picked up me and did not let go of me.  I knew I was going home that day.  The only thing that Daddy & Mommy felt bad about (but not for too long) is that another couple was eyeing me up that day, and if they did not act quick and pick me back up, I would have gone home with someone else.  Glad they acted quick and picked me up. 

Next, is when Daddy and Mommy met Dave from the APL.  Dave is now called “Uncle Dave” in my book as he is the greatest!  Dave helped Daddy fill out the adoption paperwork and he was so glad that I found a new home.  I remember that a few months after I was adopted, we went back up to PetSmart to meet Uncle Dave so he could see how big I got.  What a great reunion!  I even did tricks for Uncle Dave so he could see how smart I was.  I was performing for him like there was no tomorrow, sit, shake, down – – I did them over and over for him.

Anyhow, after all of the paperwork was completed, I was ready to go home, but first we needed all the supplies for a new puppy as Daddy & Mommy did not have these at home.  I still laugh that they were just heading up to PetSmart for kitty food, and came home with a puppy!  So, all three of us went into PetSmart to get our supplies, this is how we met Jane, a super nice employee at PetSmart.  Jane gave us our new puppy packet filled with coupons and pamphlets and she walked around the store with us and helped us pick out all the essentials that I needed.  I got a new cage that day, some toys, good healthy puppy food, picked out a new collar & leash (got those in pink, of course), and I remember how tired I was from the long day I had, and Mommy placed me on top of the box of my new cage that was ontop of the shopping cart.  That is where I fell asleep while they walked around the store and everyone who saw me up there sleeping, said “Awwwww”.  I was a cute puppy that is so true, and I am now one adorable dog, one year later!  After we got all the essentials for me, Daddy remembered that he almost forgot to get the kitty food that they originally came to the store for.  Phew, glad he remembered! 

Now, it’s time to head home…what a good thought, HOME.  I have a new home.  A place that I can call my own, a place where I will be loved, a place that I feel safe, and a place where I can lay my head down to sleep every night filled with happiness and lots of memories.  I sat on Mommy’s lap on the ride home and was a little scared, but that soon passed because I love car rides now.  We arrived home and Mommy placed me down on the ground and told me “This is your new home” and I ran out onto the grass and had my first pee!  WOW, this is home, as I have marked my territory.  Of course, Daddy had to phone Grandma to tell her of my arrival, and Grandma jumped in her car and headed right over.  Grandma picked me up and gave me lots of hugs and I fell in love with Grandma that day.  We played outside most of the afternoon, then went inside so I could watch my first Browns game.  (they lost, of course)  The afternoon just flew by and I was one tired little puppy.  My first day in my new home, with lots of trips outside to pee, but when I went to bed in my new cage, I crashed.  From my first day in my new home and every night that I slept in my cage, I never cried or wimpered, I was happy….I was home. 

I have so many memories in this year that has passed, and was happy to share them all with you in “A Day in the Life of a Puppy Named Nikita” as my blog will be a year old tomorrow on September 14th.  I have so many “firsts” in this past year that are quite memorable, from the first time I saw my reflection in the oven door & growled, to my first Halloween & costume & meeting my first animatronic prop in the kitchen, my first Christmas and meeting that chubby guy in the red suit, to crawling into the dishwasher to lick the dishes & spoons, to losing my first baby teeth, all of which are memories that I will never forget.  Thanks for following me and watching me grow up this past year, as I am sure that I will have many more stories to tell.  Enjoy the following photographs of me growing up & thanks to everyone who I have met along the way and all the wonderful people at the Cleveland APL to whom gave me a chance at life and happiness, and of course, to my Daddy & Mommy who took the chance on me and gave me love, good food, tons of toys, and lots of happiness.  I love you all!