I’ve never been a small-dog person. I get that they have a touch of cuteness to offer; they are, after all, tiny, furry things with big eyes, and some have silly faces, floppy ears, and goofy antics. But most that I’ve met are just perpetual barkers of the piercing sort, or teeth-bearing growlers, trying to be something they’re not. They’re loyal to one and hateful to the rest of us. And their breath is atrocious.

Me, I’ve had a Golden, a Weimaraner, and two Jindos, among others. Big dogs just seem more like *real *dogs to me.

A good friend of mine is a little-dog person through and through; I forgive her this misstep and I applaud her willingness to take needy ones, misfit toys if I ever saw them, into her home. I do have limits. Chihuahuas are a nope. One of hers, especially, hated me up until she could no longer see or hear, and even then I got a mean vibe from her; another was tolerant, barely, despite my gentle overtures. Neither struck me as adorable, despite the ears. They only made stronger my big-dog bias.

But recently my friend came home with a wee muppet, genetic tale unknown (but no Chihuahua DNA, methinks), who delights in the world and has been squirming into an empty pocket in my big-dog-packed heart.

She’s so small, only a cat harness will fit her—and she doesn’t need one anyway because when I walk her she trots gleefully by my side, looking up at me every few steps to make sure I’m still there. Her face is ridiculous, her neck recalls a meerkat, and her ear flops and foot taps—especially during her bestest Zoomies—are irresistible. Her fluffy face and naked body/rat tail are a hilarious combo. Most of all, the pup is never in a bad mood. She never stops smiling. Every greeting is a happy dance, tap tap tap, and an immediate request to be held. All she wants is to be in your arms. And mine. (Her breath is indeed a horror show, but we’ll let that go for now.)

Please know that for the most part, nothing has changed. I still gravitate toward the bigger, wolfier canines. Lately I’ve also come to fancy sighthounds, especially those lanky, huge-eared Podencos from Spain. Great Danes, too, have made my wish list.

But now, when I visit my friend, my first act after kicking off my shoes is scooping up that tiny animal, who is already at my feet doing circles and leaps, and cuddling her furry sweetness to my chest. If I stand, she give me a kiss and then rests her head against my shoulder. If I sit, she becomes a warm puddle in my lap. She doesn’t wiggle to get away, and rarely is there a reason to put her down. We’re both happy where she is.

Categorized in: Miscellaneous