December 2012 was a rough month for me. My family lost our dog, Louie, who we had for 10 or 11ish years. We first got him when I was young, so he was my best friend throughout my whole childhood. I was crushed when he passed because I didn't have "man's best friend" by my side anymore. I honestly felt that if we ever got another dog (which my dad was very adamant that we wouldn't for a little while) that I would never be able to bond with it as much as I bonded with Lou.
But boy, was I wrong.
Fast forward to April 2013. My mother got a text from a friend saying that her daughter was fostering two 4-week-old puppies. Me, being the extreme dog lover that I am, absolutely had to go see these small pups. Immediately when I held the brown puppy, I fell in love. She wasn't as pretty as the other one, but she was cuddly and playful and just overall the best thing I've ever come into contact with. Against my dad's wishes, she ended up coming over to our house so he and my brother could meet her. All of us were in love.
Even though my dad kept saying no dogs yet, this puppy never left. She's now been with us for almost four years. We decided to name her Tessa. If you've ever heard me talk about her, though, you may know her by her full name: Tessa Mae, which I always insist on calling her. She is the cutest dog you will ever lay your eyes on. Here's a few pictures to prove it:
Tessa at 4-5 weeks old
A slightly chubbier 3 year old Tessa
A smiling Tess Mae with an eye booger 'cause sometimes she's gross
Super cute, right? Besides from being adorable, she's also my best friend. Apologies to all of my human best friends, but there's nothing like the connection a girl has with her dog. Tessa Mae came into our lives during a time that I was stressed out about going to college and just super nervous about the future. The first night that she stayed with us, she slept with me and she was supposed to sleep in the cage because she was so small and we didn't want to lose her in the house, but I knew she was smarter than to wander off. I took her out of the cage and set up a little blanket bed right next to me and I cuddled with her all night.
I was allowed to skip school (yay) the following day to take care of her and basically make her acquainted with her new house. I tried to encourage her to run up and down the stairs, but they were way bigger than her, so I helped her until she could take them like a pro. I ran around the house with her as she galloped after with her little legs and chubby puppy belly. Nowadays, I'm actually afraid that she will catch me when I run and let her chase me. She's slightly more intimidating than the small couple pound dog that she was.
Tessa was there for my senior year achievements of stuff like becoming kicker and getting into college, she was there for my first boyfriend and first breakup, she was there to send me off to college (honestly that was the hardest goodbye. I'm tearing up as I type this just thinking about it), she was there when I came home for every break, and she's going to be there for so much more.
I don't know about you, but I love talking to my dog. Tessa is a great listener and rarely ever judges me. She's a great cuddler and loves hugs, which is good because she's my favorite person(? (not a person but you get my point)) to hug. Tessa is incredibly intelligent and listens very well. She is able to stay in the yard without a leash or chain and not move when a dog walks past. We can also take her for small walks without a leash and she won't roam far, unless you let her chase squirrels, which she loves to do. She never catches them, and I honestly don't think that she is mean enough to. Tessa also loves kids and babies. Whenever a baby cries, she gets very concerned and just wants to go over to it. She loves running around with kids and she's so gentle with them. I bonded with Tessa so quickly and fell in love immediately. I couldn't imagine a life without Miss Mae.
I write this while three hours away at college. I miss home, but I can call my family later to tell them I'm thinking of them. Sadly, I can't tell Tessa that I'll be home soon or that I'm thinking of her. She is my best friend and I miss spending every day with her. I only hope that she's missing me and thinking of me just as much.
