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Wednesday 29 November 2006
obsessed with: Mischa

yep, it's official. i looove my dog.

i never had a dog when i was a kid, so i didn't know what it was like to grow up with one or to take care of something else other than myself. when we first got Mischa, she was a tiny little thing that could fit into the palm of my hand. the first night she was here, i remember sitting and just watching her - how funny little furry puppies could be, i had no idea.

training her was tiring but alot of fun. my head was spinning for about a month, i had to keep an eye on her 24/7. she got mischievous and she was quick to learn, but not learn all things. 'sit' and toilet training came pretty quickly but there were still some things she hadn't picked up. at the dog park, lots of people made comments on the way she walked, we hadn't really noticed (and i had no idea how a dog was supposed to walk).

at six months, she was desexed and her hips were xrayed just to see what was going on, and it turned out she had hip dysplasia. she didn't seem in any pain, but we were referred to a specialist surgeon. he said that she didn't seem like she was irritated by it either, but it didn't look good so he wanted a second opinion. the second specialist is a world renown professor in her field, and also seemed to think she was okay with her hips - but her concern was the way Mischa used her front legs, her gait, which made her walk like a tin soldier. turns out that not only has she have problems with her hips, there's problems with her brain :( there are chances that if it got any worse, that Mischa wouldn't live for more than a few more years, and it really broke my heart.

all is well though, Mischa hadn't deteriorated in any way since we had her, and since the appointment, so we have high hopes that she'll live a normal full life. she celebrated her first birthday in style (spoiled) and we got on with life, making sure she was happy and comfortable.

it's been a year since 'the first few months' and she's doing well. even with the ear cleaning she needs three times a year, she's happier than ever.

i adore seeing her little smile, even in the dark i can spot those teeth flashing at me. she's wrapped around my finger, she's the apple of Regan's eye but she is so well behaved and knows what she needs to do for a treat.

i haven't been blessed with any human babies, but i feel pretty lucky to have a buddy like Mischa in my life.