Damsel Diaries 12 years ago Damsel Diaries // William & Polly
I love when you write to me and leave comments. Recently I popped over to my Facebook page and asked if anyone had any Damsel Diaries topics. The funny thing is, I have been thinking about writing on the two loves of my life for quite some time now so I found this note from Stef Van Nie pretty ironic.
Stef Van Nie your loves – the dogs – william & polly – when did you get them and when do you know it’s the right moment to bring them into your life? i have been thinking about it a long time and i would love to go to the shelter and find him/her/them but there are so many things to consider and i wish for my dog(s) to be nothing but happy, healthy and loved … xo
Meet William Potato McBacon Duprie and Polly Pringle Smalls Leavitt. If you don’t know them from reading my blog or following them on Instagram they are my 2 english bulldogs who are wildly comical and utterly lovable.
As a girl who grew up with a steady stream of dogs showing up at her doorstep, there really hasn’t been a moment in my life where I didn’t have a dog, or two {or three} as a part of my family. Eight years ago I was living on my own in Los Angeles, utterly seeking a snuggle buddy. I chose to bring a new member into my family by getting William. He was the first dog I ever purchased, not adopted {but I am huge supporter of adoption}. How did I know it was the right time? In all honesty it wasn’t. I was living alone, working 9-6 and had to leave the poor guy locked in my bathroom most days with only a small window for restroom breaks.
Poor Mr. William had a rough childhood as I was always on the go and moved back and forth from Chicago to Los Angeles a few times before finally settling down with his Dad. William is a tough cookie. I wanted a snuggle buddy but what I got was a hilariously stubborn and spoiled pup who I am pretty sure was some sort of philosopher in his past life. There are days where he will literally stare at the wall for a solid hour thinking about God knows what. Just before Williams 21st {err… I mean 4th} birthday, my boyfriend {now husband} and I decided it was time for another pup. In comes Polly with her bursts of fun energy, endless cuddles and adorably petite physique and our family was complete. William turned into a new dog who now occasionally cuddles, constantly wags his tail and seems as though he has a purpose in life.
For me, the hardest part about having a “dog” is travel. With bulldogs you have to be particularly careful with not letting them overheat or overplay themselves because they have a lot of difficulty breathing and staying cool. So, I hate boarding them because most places have a cage-free environment which is wonderful for most dogs, but not William and Polly. English bulldogs are a very sensitive breed and if you or anyone you know is thinking about getting one please, please, please do your homework and know that this isn’t a dog you will be able to take on a hike {p.s. Bulldogs should never be allowed on Runyon Canyon!}. I could seriously write a novel about english bulldog care.
Typically when I travel I will have a family member watch over the pups. As for work schedule, you will have to make sure your doggie gets out for a nice walk at least 3 times a day {before work, lunch break and right after work} with a quick pit stop before bed. All of these things are logistical and yes, you can find many reasons why you might not be ready for a dog but the real question to ask is: Am I ready to love something that wants to love me to the fullest? Because if you are, then nothing else matters.
At the end of the day, when you love someone you will do anything for them. Cleaning up throw up, poop, emergency room runs at 3am, sticking your hand down her throat to pull out a stuck bone, cleaning wounds, bathing, comforting . . . I would do it all again in a heart beat because the unbelievable, selfless love that William and Polly offer me is unlike any love I have ever received in my life. There is absolutely nothing I would not do for my babies. Just talking about them makes me tear up.
Stef Van Nie, You said you wish for your dog(s) to be nothing but happy, healthy and loved. It sounds to me like you are in a very good place in entering dog ownership and simply writing in to ask these questions shows me that you will make for a very responsible, caring and loving owner. I wish you all the best in your puppy hunting! X
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