Brooklyn Rebellion Dogs: Adventures of Woman and Dog in the Big City
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A new blogumn by Shante Paradigm
“It should all seem so simple, but you rather make it hard…”
I doubt Lauryn Hill had dog ownership in mind when she wrote those words, nonetheless, they fit exactly my experience as a dog-mom. Today is the four month anniversary of my adoption of Tilopa Obama Smalls. Tilo for short. Let me start by saying why I wanted a dog and why I adopted. Sometime around the age of five, I discovered myself to be an unabashed lover of animals–cats, dogs, horses, pigs, reptiles, fish, non-human primates pretty much anything that can be found on Animal Planet.
Fast Forward not-so-many years later, and I am a year or so out of a heart-breaking relationship. One of the worse aspects of the break up was making a decision to not be responsible for my exes’ dog, as it caused too much emotional confusion, heartache, and unnecessary contact with someone I thought was a jerk-face. So after about 7 months of harassing helpless dogs and dog-owners on the streets of New York, watching countless puppy-cam cutsie and emotionally manipulative videos on YouTube, and sitting in local dog runs and mournfully watching dogs frolic, I decided to take the plunge.
I got Tilo from a rescue service that saved him from certain death at the shelter.(I’m not going to name the service, because although I think they do good work, I was not happy with pertinent information they left out about Tilo’s history of abuse and some of his issues. Now, I love my little man, and I suppose a parent can never be too prepared, but…I think I’m still smarting over it.) The process of finding Mr. T was arduous. I had grids, diagrams and dozens of web pages open. I couldn’t sleep, I would burst into tears for no reason at all, or when the dog I wanted had been adopted from right under my nose!
But then…I saw HIM.
He was staring up at me with the most gorgeous, soulful, loving brown eyes. Unfortunately, his name was “Tony,” so it had to be changed, but I wanted him. Really, it was between Tilo and another dog, but Tilo was younger, had less behavioral problems and less special needs. Also, he is a Pit Bull-Boxer-Hound mix and both insurance and my roommate felt more comfortable with that genetic melange. :)
So began our adventures: a couple thousand dollars later ( a years’ worth of insurance, a bed, a crate, toys, behavior management tools, food) we began our journey together. Even at times when I look at him and want to…well, I have thoughts that all mothers have, I love him dearly and understand he needs a lot of care and patience and he is teaching me to develop care and patience. It’s a win-win situation. This, of course, is all before he was spotty-trained, crate-trained or street-trained. Not to mention the adventure of the DOG Park.
I invite you to join me and Tilo on our twice-monthly adventures.
I'm so envious of your adorable doggy! Pet ownership is the most amazing thing you can do. There is so much unconditional love involved (also, lots of training and vet bills, but it totally pays off.) I can't wait to hear of your adventures in the big city.
I meant POTTY trained, not SPOTTY trained. Hmm, but that is a cute euphamism
Mr. T. Well you know Shante…Mr. T, member of the 'A' team, loves his mother, so I know one day Tilo will buy you a house and you won't have to work no mo'. Indeed, the story is cute and I will enjoy reading about Tilo's dramas. Congratulations on becoming a dog 'owner'? Congratulations on adopting a dog who needed adopting. Does he have any musical talent? Who are his favorite artists? Is he gay or straight?
What a great post — can't wait to read more! And thank you for adopting a dark colored dog. I recently read a statistic that dark colored cats and dogs have a dramatically lower rate of adoption. As the mother of a black cat, it saddens me. So kudos for giving Tilo a loving home!
euphemism. Dear GOD! it's a disease. Thank you everyone for the love and warm welcome. I'm working on the next article.
YAY! i am so excited about your blog. congrats on your new tilo. he is adorable. raising a dog will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! i am madly in love with my dog who, at 19 months (yeah, i'm month-counting) still has those moments that make me bite my tongue….oy, till it bleeds. i moved to a new house a couple of weeks ago & i have to re-housetrain her. oh, how fun is this?
i'm beginning to volunteer for the seattle humane society & i know i will have some issues with wanting to take every last one of these little lovers home! i am working in their dog behavior & socialization area and it's my intention that people like you are told exactly what's going on with behavioral issues.
thanks for sharing & looking forward to many more tales of tilo!
I've got a few dogs myself. I recommend two as the perfect number. Two's company, three's a pack, I always say. I look forward to hearing the tales…
I remember looking into my dog Sean's eyes the day we adopted him … love at first sight. Yay for doggy adoptions and your new blog!
Shante, it was too funny to read your post. It sounded like when we adopted our Bella seven years ago from the Humane Shelter in Pittsburgh. She was a lab, rott mix (Debra you'll be happy she is black and brown). She had/has severe separation anxiety and after seven years (and hundreds of dollars of damage in carpets, jewelry, toys, crates, etc.) she still freaks out every time we leave the house, but we love her more than ever! And she is amazing with our 7 month old son. If I had it to do all over again, I would….separation anxiety and all! I think Bella made us better parents and better people and I love her for that. Good luck with Tilo and we'll be checking you guys out regularly.
I would love to have two (or three for that matter). alas, i live in Brooklyn and am not filthy rich, so I can only afford (and fit) this guy right now. My hope is to get another one when I write my book on….uh…and make ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!! mwah ha ha ha. a-hem.
I'm so envious of your adorable doggy! Pet ownership is the most amazing thing you can do. There is so much unconditional love involved (also, lots of training and vet bills, but it totally pays off.) I can't wait to hear of your adventures in the big city.
I meant POTTY trained, not SPOTTY trained. Hmm, but that is a cute euphamism
Mr. T. Well you know Shante…Mr. T, member of the 'A' team, loves his mother, so I know one day Tilo will buy you a house and you won't have to work no mo'. Indeed, the story is cute and I will enjoy reading about Tilo's dramas. Congratulations on becoming a dog 'owner'? Congratulations on adopting a dog who needed adopting. Does he have any musical talent? Who are his favorite artists? Is he gay or straight?
What a great post — can't wait to read more! And thank you for adopting a dark colored dog. I recently read a statistic that dark colored cats and dogs have a dramatically lower rate of adoption. As the mother of a black cat, it saddens me. So kudos for giving Tilo a loving home!
euphemism. Dear GOD! it's a disease. Thank you everyone for the love and warm welcome. I'm working on the next article.
YAY! i am so excited about your blog. congrats on your new tilo. he is adorable. raising a dog will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life! i am madly in love with my dog who, at 19 months (yeah, i'm month-counting) still has those moments that make me bite my tongue….oy, till it bleeds. i moved to a new house a couple of weeks ago & i have to re-housetrain her. oh, how fun is this?
i'm beginning to volunteer for the seattle humane society & i know i will have some issues with wanting to take every last one of these little lovers home! i am working in their dog behavior & socialization area and it's my intention that people like you are told exactly what's going on with behavioral issues.
thanks for sharing & looking forward to many more tales of tilo!
I've got a few dogs myself. I recommend two as the perfect number. Two's company, three's a pack, I always say. I look forward to hearing the tales…
I remember looking into my dog Sean's eyes the day we adopted him … love at first sight. Yay for doggy adoptions and your new blog!
Shante, it was too funny to read your post. It sounded like when we adopted our Bella seven years ago from the Humane Shelter in Pittsburgh. She was a lab, rott mix (Debra you'll be happy she is black and brown). She had/has severe separation anxiety and after seven years (and hundreds of dollars of damage in carpets, jewelry, toys, crates, etc.) she still freaks out every time we leave the house, but we love her more than ever! And she is amazing with our 7 month old son. If I had it to do all over again, I would….separation anxiety and all! I think Bella made us better parents and better people and I love her for that. Good luck with Tilo and we'll be checking you guys out regularly.
I would love to have two (or three for that matter). alas, i live in Brooklyn and am not filthy rich, so I can only afford (and fit) this guy right now. My hope is to get another one when I write my book on….uh…and make ONE MILLION DOLLARS!!!! mwah ha ha ha. a-hem.