My little baby dog turned 5 this week. He is the cutest stray ever! (Says every rescue owner, I know!) We love his giant ears and soulful eyes. DL came to us 4 years ago on Labor Day weekend.

Our vet said he was right at a year old – so we gave him a Labor Day birthday and it moves a little each year, just like the Monday holiday. He followed Daniel home from his run on a Saturday. We gave him food and water but he was too scared to stay. He followed him home again the next day and just basically never left. He was covered in burrs and he was hungry but very cautious. It was mild weather for that 3-day weekend (especially for September in Texas!) and we were doing some work on remodeling the living room so we had the back door open to the yard. DL just hung out on a tarp under the scaffolding and slept, going in and out as he pleased. When he wasn’t catching up on rest (because being a stray is hard, y’all!) he would just sit silently and watch us. I bet we had him for a couple of months before he ever made a sound. He was very stoic like the Dalai Lama and he looked like a little llama. Hence, his name, The Doggy Llama. We call him DL. We were decidely dog-free for about a year when he showed up. The last couple of years of English bulldog ownership had gotten really sad and messy, not to mention how hard it was to find someone to for realz MOVE IN when we left town. Anyway, when DL showed up we agreed with each other to vet him, foster him and find him a good home. HA! Of course, we had him scanned for a microchip and plastered his mug all over Facebook, but it was clear he did not have an owner. We took him to the vet who had ushered us through our bulldog era and he said “You are going to learn about hybrid vigor!” Our previous pure-bred dogs had been expensive from the get-go and then along the way with allergy testing, shots, special food, ear and tail issues and the list goes on. We had to be careful to not let them get too hot because the bradycephalic breeds (ie pugs, bulldogs and Pekinese) don’t have the long nose to cool air properly. They were snorty and farty. All sorts of unique things that a Heinz 57 dog like DL is not. He’s great in 99 ways. And, then there is his one issue… he is aggressive to other dogs. Big, little, DL don’t care. He is going to go “all Cujo” on it. With one exception, my Mom’s little chihuahua, Diego. DL loves Diego. He also outweighs him about 3x. But, the brotherly love is evident. We even did dog-training. There’s a local trainer that offers a 6 week class and we met once per week to socialize DL and work on his obedience. He gave us some great information and it was a valuable experience. But, he also said DL will never be a “dog park dog”. He is best as an “only” and protected from other dog encounters. We just don’t know what that first year held for him. When I think about what sparked his anxiety towards other dogs (and, being completely honest…some little kids and loud men!), it makes me so sad for him. But, in all the ways that matter, he is awesome! He has this funny 3-footed run he does when he goes in the yard. He is super energetic, too…until the second half of a mile run! He is a tail-wagging ball of love. The vet says he is part terrier and that part sure likes to watch the SQs (can’t say the word “squirrel” or he reacts!) out the back door and then he runs after them like he’s on fire. I have mentioned his eyes. They are big and round and deep brown. He looks at you like he’s trying to communicate something very important. We were not in the market for a dog when DL showed up. I had lost my Dad unexpectedly about 6 weeks prior to his arrival. DLs eyes remind me of my Dad’s in color. I sometimes feel almost like Dad sent DL to us…to ease the pain of losing him. You know how when you look at something or someone you love and you just get that heart squeeze? Well, DL brings me that kind of feeling. And, he loves me back. He follows me step-for-step, often bumping his nose into my calf every other footfall. Of course, I feed him and give great scratchies and he knows that good things come from me. He really loves me, until my Mom shows up for a visit. Well, never you mind Momma Dee, Grandmimi is here and she’s the one I REALLY love. Maybe Dad really is in there, somewhere? DL goes to work with us at the office. He has a kennel under the counter and he just hangs out there during our work day UNLESS Grandmimi is here. DL won’t leave her. I will ask him just like I do everyday, “DL, are you ready to go to work?” and everyday he jumps up on the ottoman for me to put on his leash and collar. But, when Grandmimi is here, he sits by her on the couch and if I ask him, he tucks his face behind her! He’s not going!! Maybe that has a little bit to do with getting to hang with his one and only Diego… And, get this: when Grandmimi & Diego are here, DL sleeps with THEM in the guestroom. It doesn’t hurt that his Grandmimi will love on him for hours at time and tells him how handsome he is. I’m not even kidding. He is an easy little guy to have around and we love him. I very grateful he decided to stick around and make our lives a whole lot sweeter.