The Original Babies
Once upon a time, I was in high school.
And I wanted a dog.
I’ve always loved dogs, ever since my first pug named Muffy. Muffy and I would ride around in my pink Barbie convertible, up and down the driveway day in and day out.
But when high school came, I didn’t just want a family dog. I wanted my dog. A dog of my own.
The day I saw the tiny faces of Rascal and Princesses, our two rat terriers, I knew it was meant to be.
Princess was mine.
Rascal was Danielle’s.
I spent hours in the garage with them as puppies, holding them and talking to them during the cold winter nights. I got up at 5 a.m. when they cried and greeted them every day after school first thing.
They had Christmas stockings and special treats on Christmas morning. Summers included leftover steak or burgers from the grill, and breakfast tacos after skiing on Sunday mornings. I dragged them around the neighborhood on walks and even had an incident with a bush and two leashes one weekend during college summer break while my parents were out of town. Rascal loved to look for rabbits and Princess loved when the driveway was in sight.
And even though I’ve got my own family, and my own Babies now, I loved them.
Without them, it feels like the last thread of my childhood finally snapped. My parent’s backyard will be foreign without two black and white spotted faces at the fence. Although Princess passed a few years ago, Rascal held on until last weekend.
So tonight when Bear poops on the paper just as I’m about to eat dinner or Bitty follows me around snarling because I’m off schedule, I won’t groan or whine.
I’m just happy that they’re still mine.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! A new Wings tomorrow!
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August 7th, 2012 at 2:55 am
Oh I’m so sorry about your loss chica! All of the dogs sound like wonderful companions!
August 7th, 2012 at 4:29 am
–has anybody told you lately that YOU ARE ADOOOOORABLE?!!! Xxx
August 7th, 2012 at 4:34 am
{Melinda} That last picture of you and your doggies is absolutely adorable! My favorite!
My daughter is asking for a dog. She’s almost 16 and it’s suddenly struck her that she wants a pet. My son is allergic, so we’re considering a bunny. Any dog breeds you know of that won’t cause my allergic son’s face to swell up??
August 7th, 2012 at 6:27 am
Aw I’m sorry to hear about Rascal! Hug Bitty & Bear tight!
August 7th, 2012 at 6:46 am
They will be missed greatly
August 7th, 2012 at 6:58 am
Rascal lived to be 13 years and 10 months old. He was happy and totally active until the very end and thats about as good as it gets. Remember the good times.
August 7th, 2012 at 7:02 am
Aw Duckie, losing a pet can be so hard =-(
August 7th, 2012 at 7:08 am
Hearfelt sympathy to Danielle, you and Debbie. As I have heard
it said, pain is the price you pay for love. But we all do it
again. Nice tribute, may he live forever with you and Danielle.
The ones we lose are a part of us, always.
August 7th, 2012 at 7:31 am
Sorry your childhood “friends” are gone. We all have such wonderful memories of pets we had as children.
August 7th, 2012 at 8:56 am
Awww, I had a rattie for a while, a little girl named Abigail (I had to find her a better home several years ago and it was the hardest for me to do, but the best for her–she got a big beagle buddy to play with and a human who was home more).
August 7th, 2012 at 9:44 am
You are such a good momma to your pets. So sorry to hear about Rascal, but I know he had such a wonderful life!
August 7th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I’m really sorry about Rascal. I definitely know he was loved by you and your family.
August 7th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Sorry about your doggie. That’s sad. Hope your babies will make you feel better.
August 7th, 2012 at 11:17 am
Oh boo hoo… I’m so sorry. They were beautiful babies. I tried to talk the Knight into a rat terrier when Mugsy died, but he wanted another JRT.
August 7th, 2012 at 11:18 am
I’m so sorry you lost your childhood puppy. It’s so hard to lose those connections. Bitty and Bear will give you all the puppy snuggles you need to help you through.
August 7th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Aw, they all sound like wonderful pups. I’m so so sorry for your loss. I know exactly how you feel, we lost our old pal recently, but the two new pups keep me busy.
August 7th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
it’s so hard losing a pet. your little pups are adorable!
August 7th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
lsorry about your loss….just like losing a family member….
have fun with those 2 little pups!
August 7th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
So many cute pictures!
August 7th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
So sorry to hear about your little baby. There’s little to compare with the love for your first childhood pet.
August 7th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Awwww sorry for your loss…
Big hugs for your 2 pups!
xoxox,
CC
August 7th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
You are so beautiful! Inside and out. Love the tribute to your fur children. Very heartbreaking to lose your babies.
August 7th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I am so sorry to read of your loss. Hug your babies extra close tonight!
August 7th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
I want approximately 23131 dogs and 934320 kitties. I am a true animal lover.
I am so sorry for your loss.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
August 7th, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Sorry to hear of your loss. I am sure Rascal will be missed.
August 7th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I’m sorry to hear about Rascal-it sounds like he led a great life and was well loved
August 7th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
Hi,
I am so sorry for this loss…a reminder and a thread of something from your childhood….I have heard more dogs passing int he past month then I think ever…maybe because I am so connected via facbook and blogs….but I am truly sorry. I know you will hang on to your puppies a bit tighter this week
hugs 2 U,
jamie
August 8th, 2012 at 6:37 am
They are too cute and family is family (even when they growl because a meal is late!)
xoxo,
Chic ‘n Cheap Living
August 8th, 2012 at 7:29 am
So sorry to hear about the loss of Rascal. =( Dogs are such an amazing gift + I know if must be hard for you + your parents. I’ll go give my pup a hug now. =)
August 8th, 2012 at 10:45 am
Oh hun I’m sorry. Much love to you and your friends, what a great piece of childhood!!
August 8th, 2012 at 11:42 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. They do work their way into our hearts instantly, don’t they? xo
August 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog, its always hard to lose a loved animal.
August 8th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Oh no! I am so sorry. The loss of a pet is horrible, particularly when they are so dear to you. I’m so sorry.
By the way, that photo of you as a little girl is absolutely beautiful. You are such a gorgeous person, inside and out. I know you don’t think so, but the world does.
August 10th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Awwwwww, hun. I’m so incredibly sorry to hear about the loss of your sweet childhood pet
I know how hard it can be to lose a pet. I’m just so glad you are enjoying every precious moment your dogs give to you. All that want is to be loved all the time… and it sounds like you are a wonderful mommy to them 
August 28th, 2012 at 4:14 am
So sorry your childhood babies (err pets) are gone but it sounds like they were so special and it is great to see the pictures of them.