the Day Zelda Chose Me

Out of all the dogs who have crossed through my life, I could have chosen any one of them. This isn't time for their stories, this is the time for the story of Princess Zelda and I and how we came to be.

Zelda came into my life for the first time on January 17th, 2021. I was an emotional wreck after having my world completely turned upside down earlier in the month. To make an heart-breaking story short and sweet - I lost my best friend/roommate and "our" dog on the same day. Being in our apartment alone wasn't working out too well, frankly it was near impossible to do. The solution? Find my own furry friend to help me cope.

I had been looking for a dog since the beginning of the year, found two who caught my eye and I wanted to go and visit them. So, my friend and I managed to get an appointment to go visit our animal shelter where the dogs were WHILE in line to get covid-19 tests! Thankfully the tests came back negative and we were cleared to go and see the dogs the following day. We were walked back to the kennels and I was told the dogs I wanted to see were farther down, and one of them was actually in the sick bay. Hearing that discouraged me already, but I still wanted to at least see them.

Here's the funny thing about those two dogs being at the end of the row, I had to walk past ALL the other dogs. I didn't look too closely at any of these pups yet, until I glanced at this little black dog, and then did a double take and stopped dead in my tracks. There she was, sitting there, looking up at me, shaking obviously, she looked so tiny and scared my heart instantly melted in a way it never has before. I had sank to my knees at this point and we were just staring at each other. Realizing I came here for other dogs, I felt the compassionate need to at least go see them so I did. The first one scared the living daylights out of me, and the other one was so sick I knew I couldn't give her the home she deserved. I wasn't discouraged, I was relieved. I could go see that little black dog again.

Turns out, we were the first people who were getting to see her, the tech didn't see her paperwork when he came to get us but it was there when we came back for her. She was very nervous coming out of the kennel, but she came right to me and I just sat on the concrete for a minute loving on her. Zelda then let me lead her into the fenced in area where we could play and we pretty much solidified that friendship within the next 30-45 minutes. She started coming right up to me once I figured out Princess vs. Zelda and I knew she was the one.

I knew Abby sent her to me or there's a little bit of Abby's spirit bouncing around in Zelda. There were signs, Abby always wanted a pittie - Zelda is a black lab/pittie mix, Zelda was one of Abby's favorite video games, I met her on a Sunday and she was mine on Tuesday - the day we lost Abby. The signs were there, we were destined to be together. Love at first sight and an instant connection - Just. Like. Abby.

I mulled it over for a little while longer, we both knew I was getting the dog it was just a matter of when. That's when I found out she had been brought in minutes before we were, and that this was her first time being surrendered and I thought to myself - let me save her, let me get her out of here and working with her as soon as possible. I knew in my gut Zelda was the one, and I had not listened to my gut way too many times to not take this chance. I told our tech I wanted to take her home, she was mine, there wasn't gonna be talking me out of this. Turned out because she hadn't been there that long they were gonna need to keep her and check her out and get her chipped - I could come back in two days! I have never signed and handed over bills so fast in my life.

Zelda was going to come home in just two days! I spent those two days getting my apartment ready, bringing in lots of comfort toys for her, food, bed, crate, anything she could possibly need. Thanks to the help of some wonderful people, I was so ready for Zelda I couldn't sleep for those two nights.

Tuesday couldn't come fast enough, I had her bed loaded up, a blanket to snuggle with and a leash and collar ready for her. I got to the animal shelter before my friend which meant I was gonna be trying to drive with a brand new dog in my car for the first time. Interesting to say the least. I was a little worried that she would have forgotten me by then, but I was so wrong. The vet brought Zelda out to me, and she sniffed for a second, saw me and came right over with her tail wagging - ready for pets. I sat there with her again just loving on her and sitting in the sheer fact that Zelda was mine and I was taking her home. We walked for a little bit so she could get used to me, vice versa, and I could see how bad she really pulled on the leash. Needs work. We walked back to my car to meet my friend who had pulled in while Zelda and I explored. The two of them were instant friends and I was so relieved that Zelda was doing so well with so many new situations all at one time.

The next task was going to be getting Zelda home, I was going to be driving with her by myself instead of sitting in the back with her. No problem, I moved the bed up to the front seat but I still had to get her in the car. Zelda is a 50 lb, 1.6 year old dog. She had plenty of agility and energy to get into the car so I wasn't going to pick her up. She just needed the right phrase. That word wasn't "up" for some reason, and "come on" only got her to walk. I thought for a second and tried something just on a whim. The word(s) I decided on and got the most reaction, you'll never guess...

"Yip yip!"

Yeah, I know what you're thinking, I was shocked too at first. ATLA was a show that Abby introduced me to, we binged that and LoK during quarantine and it was honestly one of my fonder memories of quarantine. I saw this as another connection between Zelda and Abby and it made me feel a lot better about taking her home. The drive home ended up going super smoothly and I found out that once she got settled Zelda really does love car rides. Great news for us, I see some road trips in the future for us! Zelda laid on her bed and stared up at me with her big brown eyes the whole way home. I couldn't resist petting her and letting her know what a good girl she was being. And I really couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I just got a dog, on my own, to help me cope. Pretty solid explanation.

Once we got back to the apartment and started getting settled in, my friends and I saw how cuddly and funny Zelda really was. She wanted to be in everyones' laps, getting all kinds of belly rubs and head scratches. Running around and playing with her new toys and just exploring the apartment. We had a couple setbacks but hey, overall I loved having her and knew she was just what I needed to be able to stay in the apartment where I lost not one but two of my best friends weeks before. Every time Zelda looked up at me and snuggled closer to me I knew that she was the one, the serotonin I felt being released was a refreshing change for once. Being able to go to sleep and wake up and feeling another warm, furry presence in my bed helped me sleep in the apartment, even if it was interrupted sleep. Zelda was brought into my life for a reason, she chose me, and I know in my heart that Abby had something to do with it. She was watching over us, and knew that Zelda was the one and if there was ever a time to listen to my gut it was about getting her.

Now I would be lying if I said everything was hunkie-dorie after that, no we had our ups and way downs and there were a lot of tears. Zelda and I got used to each other and learned more and more about each other every day. Training helped tremendously and Zelda is a very good and smart girl!! I can honestly say I couldn't see myself without her. I may not be over the loss of Abby and I don't think I ever will be, but I can cope and exist a little better now that I have a new best friend who Abby would definitely approve of. I walked into OCAS not really knowing what I was looking for, Zelda and Abby knew, I just had to listen for once - and boy oh boy am I glad I did.

Zelda and I have been rocking together for about three months to the day! She's a crazy ham who loves running, chasing squirrels, modeling and lounging on the couch watching movies while I work. She knows when I'm sad or when a wave is going to hit and she'll come right over and lean into me and have me pet her to help distract myself. Zelda may or may not be an ESA in the upcoming months, we shall see. Eventually, we're going to have to go meet the grandparents (my parents) who don't know about her. But they're gonna fall in love with her just like everyone else did, so I'm not too worried.

Mom and Dad, if you see this, surprise! I'm not sorry, you're gonna love her.