DatingJosh

Say hello to Misha, probably my favorite dog in the universe:

Is that not the most adorable punim you have ever seen? This picture is from the last day I spent with her. She is perched on the edge of my couch, wearing her patented “when are we going to play?” expression. Watching her slide around on my hardwood floors while chasing her toys always provided endless hours of entertainment. She never could quite adjust from carpet to wood!

You would never believe how much real estate a small, 10-pound, furry mammal could occupy on top of a queen-size bed! When Mish decided it was sleepy-time, she expertly impersonated a stone in both density and immobility. Many nights I had to contort myself around her stationary, somnolent form only to wake up with soreness in muscles I previously was not aware I possessed.

Misha loved her monster and her froggie. She loved to fetch them, barreling headlong, heedless of walls, chairs, shoes, purses, or my legs, intoning a deep, rumbling growl the whole trip. She sounded like a Porsche accelerating out of a curve in second gear while chasing down her quarry.

Misha was so much fun to walk on a bright, sunny morning. She loved to growl at every other dog entering her field of view. She developed a somewhat irrational fear of metal grates and covers, avoiding walking over them at all costs. It was hilarious to watch her, little legs trotting, tail wagging, head moving side-to-side, suddenly sense the presence of a sewer cover. She would stop dead in her tracks and then furtively dash along the side of it, shooting mistrustful glances over her shoulder the whole time. I think she believed a large, stinky, doggie-eating monster was waiting to pop up and snatch her.

Misha, I am still waiting for the day you appear at my door with a note tucked in your collar. Tell mommy that I, too, wish there were a way we could work things out.

Since we are talking about dogs, here is a picture of my niece:

Meet Lily Grace, aka Lilsinore, aka Lily Gila Baggins. Lily’s mommy taught her to pose for the camera. Isn’t she beautiful? She is such a little sweetie.

I now have a sister, too. My mother recently got her own Maltese, a tiny little puppy named Sophia who just cracked the 4 pound mark! Do not let her diminutive size fool you; from what my mother tells me of her antics, she is a madwoman. I will add some pictures to the doggie family album soon.

Misha, you are now part of a family of doggies. How I wish I could bring you by to play.