Princeton, P, Princey, P man, fluffer butter, Prince, buddy angel, sweet baby, handsome little man… you get it the list goes on and on for our sweet P’s nicknames. Today is arguably the happiest day for Princeton. He now has a fenced in yard to run free, eat grass, bark his head off at all other dogs probably while annoying the neighbors and sun bathe any time he pleases. I have tears in my eyes as I type about our 7 year old malte poo cocker spaniel mix (some would like to say he is a malte cock…I prefer malte poo cocker spaniel mix, thanks). The blog today is dedicated to my sweet Princey.
If you know me or follow me on Twitter you know I am completely and madly obsessed with this little angel. I got him when he was 5 weeks old in a questionable neighborhood in Mobile, Alabama. He was so fluffy, clumsy and ridiculously precious. It was love at first sight. Princeton’s 7 years of life have included 9 moves and during every single move he found a way to make each place feel like a home for the two of us even if it was temporary.Out of all 9 moves he has only had a fenced in yard for 4 short months (shoutout to my grandmother for letting us live with her for 4 months, bless her heart). He loved having a fence for those few months…probably because he hates a leash maybe I should have spent the money for puppy training and he wouldn’t pull on his leash like a maniac who has never been outside. When Tucker and I discussed upgrading from an apartment to possibly a townhouse or a house it came down to the yard. Princeton has to have a fenced in yard. No questions. This is where the tears flow freely for me.
We discussed a townhouse which would have a little balcony where he could sunbathe and we could take him on walks and he would be fine without a yard for a few more years. A few more years. Princeton would probably be 10 or 11 by the time we moved from a townhouse to a house with a fenced in yard. I cried thinking of how this dog has made my life so incredibly happy for the last 7 years and although I do spoil him like no other I felt so sad knowing that the last 7 or 8 years of his life he may not have a yard…something that makes him so happy. I’m not kidding y’all…this dog has been there through the absolute worst and best times of my life. Lows so low that the only thing that picked me up off of the bathroom floor and opened my swollen tear filled eyes was getting up to snuggle that little guy. Highs so high that I had swollen tear filled eyes from crying with joy and celebrating each happy milestone with extra treats for him and extra wine for mama. The impact that Princeton has made on my life is almost too hard to put into words. He has taught me discipline, forgiveness, kindness, how to love unconditionally, reminds me to always say “hello” and “I love you” goodbye, how to be a nurse those damn allergies and hot spots and how to be firm. A fenced in yard was deemed necessary and only seemed right for how much love and happiness he has brought to me (and Tucker over the last 4 years). Tucker agreed completely. *hence the house project*
We built the house and moved in almost 4 weeks ago and knew that the fence would be installed around September. Princeton has LOVED the house. He loves the extra space to roam, the big windows that allow him to sunbathe in the kitchen, the fluffy carpet in the basement, watching the precious children get on the school bus, supervising all of the furniture deliveries and his own hiding spots for nap time. I think he liked the yard but probably wondered where the hell his fence was so he could run wild. Little buddy didn’t understand that fences are expensive and take time to schedule installation shoutout if someone wants P to be their dog model to pay for his fence. Today was his lucky day. I got home from Body Works + Abs (had to throw that in there because it was the first time I have been to the gym in 34 days sooo) and saw that the fence was almost completely installed. I walked into the house and he was perched right in front of the french doors in the kitchen supervising his fence. He ran up to me and wagged his tail and tears filled my eyes. I let them finish installing before I let P out to run and when they gave me the go ahead I waited for them to leave so I could cherish this day that has been so important to us. I sent Tucker a video of Prince running wild and as I videoed my heart felt like it could burst with happiness. The last years of P’s life will be spent running wide open, eventually chasing our kids around in the backyard and making memories in between. HUGE thank you to my husband, Tucker, for loving Princeton as much as I do well almost as much because I love him most and giving him the best last half of his life. Even though you kind of owe it to him since you accidentally poisoned him the first year that we dated glad he made it or we may not be married right now but P ended up being just fine praying hands emoji here. We love you so much!! Y’all give your dogs some extra love today because we have so much more than them but to them we are all that they have.
Puppy kisses,
Mrs. B
