A Little Girl's Best Friend

Dolly really should be the spokespup for breaking the stigma of pit bulls.

Covered in blonde fur, Dolly (as in Dolly Parton) has some of the most soulful eyes I have ever seen. She practically smiles when she is happy and looks like she could be in those Sarah McLachlan ASPCA videos when she is sad. This gentle girl will smother anyone with love, affection, and slobbery kisses if they pay her a speck of attention.

When I first met Dolly, I was trying to decide which puppy I wanted to take home and make a part of our family. Turns out she would choose me. As I sat where all the puppies were playing, the smallest pup of the litter decided she wanted in my lap. We played with me and, as the playdate was ending, fell asleep in my lap. I was absolutely smitten with this little pup they had named Dolly. A few short weeks later, she was home with us.

My husband and I babied her. We had no children, and my cats, who had been with me before we married, did not want to be cuddled. Our new puppy wanted everything to do with us. But her behavior changed shortly afterward: she stopped eating and drinking and would hide. In a panic, we rushed her to the clinic; she had parvo. The vet told us that Dolly would have been irreversible and would have perished had we waited any longer. We were informed that there was a chance she could pull through but not get our hopes up. We did everything we could to save our girl: we fed her liquids, gave her IVs, let the vets do what they could, and cleaned our house with bleach from top to bottom. I am so happy to report that she is now eight years old and living comfortably.

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Dolly became a constant companion. She followed me throughout the house, something she continues to do to this day and was practically my shadow as my daughter’s birth approached. Upon their first meeting, Dolly was hooked, and there was no doubt that this was her baby. Once considered as “nanny dogs,” Dolly takes this role very seriously. She slept close to wherever my daughter slept. As my daughter became more mobile, Dolly was always in short-range, always giving my daughter licks. As she was learning to walk, Dolly’s patience and care were evident as the toddler used her to stand. She never snapped or snarled, merely kissed her baby when she fussed.

And she continues this sweet demeanor to this day. Dolly’s dog bed lies next to our daughter’s bed, and she will give her kisses whenever my daughter makes a distressed noise. She will even get between my daughter and our other dog if she feels that Luna is not gentle enough with her baby. She is by far the best welcoming crew to anyone who shows up at our house. Whether it’s welcoming a delivery person with a wagging tail and friendly “boofs” or the incessant demand for affection from our repeat visitors, Dolly always makes people know that they are well-received.

Although, sometimes, I am sad for her. There is no denying the pit bull in her genetic makeup. We have taken her out to public places, and although she may greet passerbyers with a tag wag and all the physical cues of a dog wanting affection, I have had people give her a wide berth because of her breeding. My heart breaks as I watch them hurry by, and her tail droops. If only they knew how sweet she is!

But I also remind myself of the joy she has sparked in others. I once brought her to the juvenile detention center where I worked. The young men were thrilled when I brought her for the day. All evening they ran with her, played tug-a-war (her favorite game), and gave her so much love. I have never seen her more tired or happier than I did at the end of that day. She loved playing with the boys, and, to this day, I get questions about her from the young men I still have connections with.

Now that she is older and I have been able to reflect on our time together so far, I find that I am so appreciative and thankful for that day that a little puppy decided to pick us. I have had many wonderful pets in my lifetime. What makes Dolly so unique is her temperament and the unending affection she gives. Her patience and personality are something that I wish I saw more in humankind. I understand now why dogs are referred to as “man’s best friend,” but we certainly don’t deserve these beautiful beings!