HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EFFIE!

Today marks a milestone in my sweet little puppy Effie’s life. She is one year old and has thankfully survived living with me this long, ha!

Yes, I put a party hat on her. Because I think it is funny. And she is cute in it.

This time last year, I had lived at my apartment for two years. I really didn’t have any neighbors and still didn’t have any friends or know very many people here. It’s hard at times being away from your friends and family. I’m really good at entertaining myself but still was lonely at times. <Enter the idea of getting a puppy.> I have two friends who have Yorkies, but I had always wanted a Maltese. The Maltese is a small, friendly, companion dog, which is exactly what I needed! So, I started my search!

            I drove to one lady’s house, ready to walk out with my cute little puppy. However, when I saw her, she seemed sick and wasn’t very active. (the puppy, that is) I was not about to buy a sick puppy, so I passed on her. Apparently Maltese are not very popular. To my surprise, I had more leads on them from Ebay. So, I had plans to stop by a breeder on my way to my parent’s one weekend. By this time, I had started second-guessing myself. “Dogs are expensive. They are a huge responsibility.” I never realized how indecisive I am! But, to be honest, it is probably good to really think about big purchases and if you really want something. Well, because of said indecisiveness, I backed out on stopping to see those puppies.

            I had pretty much talked myself out of a puppy when on the last weekend I was going to be home, my mom saw an ad in the paper: MALTESE, 3 BOYS, 1 GIRL. Well, I knew I wanted the girl. But, my indecisiveness was creeping up again! I just knew the girl would be taken already, but when we called she was still available! We made plans to go look at her. My mom still makes fun of me to this day about the way I was acting. “I’m so nervous; my heart is beating so fast! Mom, I need a code word if you think she looks sick or something.” It really is funny that I acted so silly about it. When the lady arrived, I took one look at her and knew I would get her. My mom couldn’t believe that I committed to buying her so quickly! She was just so cute! 

            I knew all along that I wanted to name her Effie. A lot of people ask me where I got that name or tell me that it was their grandmother’s name. (To which I respond, “Aw, I’m sorry!”) But the truth is I have a unique interest in names. I sometimes read name lists and apparently found this one on the internet a long time ago. I could just picture my future puppy named Effie. I gave her the middle name Ona because the last syllable in Effie, /fee/ + Ona= Fiona, which means white. And Maltese are solid white except the eyes and nose. (Remember, I said I have a unique interest in names!)

          I was very strict with house training her, and it worked! She thankfully goes to the door when she needs to go out and has ever since she was really little. She also knows how to sit, shake, high five, lie down, speak, and roll over. She has also had quite a few close calls in her short life like the time she ate cocoa powder and had to go to the ER, and the time she jumped out of the car at a gas station and I had to chase her down, and the time she got away from me when I was taking out the trash and I had to chase her through the parking lot. We even had a coyote look straight at us at the apartment complex one night when I first got her. Needless to say, we ran back upstairs ASAP! I have been paranoid about them ever since!

            So, every reason I could think of for not getting a puppy turned out to be true. Dogs are expensive and are a huge responsibility. However, I would not trade Effie for the world! She is so lovable and a lot of fun. She is always up for playing and hanging out with me. She makes me laugh every day, and who doesn’t like to laugh? She also has helped me meet several people in my area. When I got Effie, she became sort of the icebreaker. I guess she made me more approachable and gave me something to talk about. My best friend even thinks I’m more outgoing now! I love meeting new people and making friends and probably wouldn’t have without her. One couple I met was even inspired to get their own cute, little Maltese! (Score! :) This past year has by far been the best yet here. And not just because of Effie, but she has definitely brightened my life!