A very Puddles Anniversary

Paul and I realized that today is the 1 year anniversary of me bringing the little ball of flying fur, also known as Puddle Puppy, into our house. First let me say, this isn't actually a date we kept track of, but we knew it was 2 days before Paul arrived in Addis, so a short gmail search and there it was.

Anyways, for those of you who don't know the story of Puddles, which means we must never have met, Puddles was found under a tree on the streets of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She had a small "collection" half of a roll of bread, so chewed up plastic bags. She was so cute I had to go back a few days in a row, bringing her food and then, on September 6th, I called the vet, wanting to get her the rabies vaccine, plus any thing else she needed. In Addis the vet, comes to you, and Dr. Dawitt showed up with shots and medication. After giving her everything, we talked and he told me he didn't think she would make it on her own, being so small, without a pack. So I took her home, after a quick call to Paul, promising I wouldn't get attached.

Well clearly that didn't work, because here she is. Naming her was the first problem, as soon as she became Puddles it was probably a sign she wasn't going anywhere. Once we decided not to put up signs for a puppy for adoption, her future was sealed. There are a few lessons to be taken from the story of Puddles, here are some of my favorites:

• Much of life is just being in the right place at the right time. I didn't have to work to the cafe the way I did, and it actually wasn't the fastest way. Only because it was the least muddy road (it had EU headquarters) did I walk that way. That walk changed a bunch of lives, and it wasn't planned. So now Puddles never has to worry about hunger, and I never have to worry about sleeping past 7 am!

• Adopting a puppy is the way to go. If you are thinking about getting a pet, adopt. You don't need to go to Ethiopia to help a puppy in need. Your local shelter surely has lots of dogs and cats in need of love.

• Along with that, Mutts RULE!! Puddles is the most popular dog at our dog park, with people and other dogs. Everyone comments on how beautiful she is, she has the quirkiest personality and can do all sorts of tricks. It was a surprise to see how she ended up looking, and how big she became. Some even say that mutts are healthier, though the results are mixed.

• Its really easy to do something nice. Puddles is a reminder of that every day. I'll be honest, it feels really great every time I remember I saved her life. But a puppy is also great and showing unrestricted affection, and she can often tell when I am sad or need someone to cuddle with. It is great to have that daily "be nice" reminder.

Puddles is walking a 5k for Ottawa's Humane Society on Saturday. If you want to help her (and Paul and I) raise money to help some animals who aren't yet lucky enough to have a home click here.