If you follow me on snapchat (LC_Steele) or Instagram, you know I love my dog, Nilla. I call myself her stepmom since David actually already had her when we got married. We had dogs growing up, but they were “bird dogs” my dad used for hunting and always stayed in the back yard. My mom isn’t one for inside dogs and I think it’s so sad! She doesn’t know what she’s missing! I told my dad he should surpriseย my mom with an inside dog for Christmas but he didn’t do it! There’s always Valentine’s day, dad!
I never really wanted a dog. I always thought they would be 90% work and 10% enjoyment. haha I picked Nilla out over skype during my second year of law school when David and I were dating long distance. His parents’ dog, Maggie, had a litter of puppies and David decided he wanted to keep one. He held each puppy up and when he held one up that was smaller than the rest, and completely limp and motionless I shouted “that one! She looks calm!”ย I was right – Nilla is the calmest dog in existence. She wants to cuddle every moment of every day, never chews up anything, and constantly gives unconditional love.
I never knew how much joy inside dogs could bring. In fact (and I’m so glad Nilla can’t read what I’m about to type but….) I didn’t want Nilla to live with us when we first got married. “There’ll be so much dog hair!… We don’t have a yard!… ” All excuses because I didn’t want to share my personal space with some foreign animal that in my mind belonged in a back yard. I couldn’t have been more wrong. And I’m so glad David just brought her over one day and made me live with her. Life is better because of it. She’s really taught me that being a best friend just means lending a listening ear and a hug.
I couldn’t love this dog more and am so happy I made the leap to being an inside pet person. It’s enriched my life more than I ever thought a dog would and now I can’t imagine living without her!
