My life in retrospect

It was 2010, my senior year of college, and like every wise college senior, I had decided I was ready to get a puppy. My best friend Jennie told me that our farm manager was planning to breed his red heeler (Australian cattle dog for those who don’t know) to a miniature Australian Shepherd (black tri-color w/one blue eye for those interested) to get a version of a crossbreed known as the “Texas Heeler”. Well let me tell you, those were the two breeds I was OBSESSED with and so I took that as a sign from the heavens above. One of these puppies was meant to be mine. I remember googling hundreds of pictures trying to figure out what this puppy might look like, but nothing could have prepared me for the perfection that is my girl.

It was Homecoming day and I got word that Ruby (mom) had delivered four healthy pups – 2 males and 2 females. I had already decided that I was getting a male pup.

I was a tad jealous because Jennie had the pick of the litter and also decided she wanted a boy too. So that only left me with one choice… that is until I saw her.

I got my first glimpse of who we now know as Mickie when she was just 3 days old. I used to have a picture of her from that day but the old phone it was on disappeared and I never saved a copy. I remember seeing all 4 little squirmy pups, no bigger than my hand. They were all red and white but she was unique because she only had a half mask. See heelers are really neat because they’re born white and fill in with color as they get older (part of the Dalmatian in them if I remember correctly). So, Mickie came out pretty much all white with a half mask and big red spot on her back. I thought she was so dang cute, and I instantly fell in love. Our farm manager was great, constantly giving updates about Mickie and even used the name I picked for her. I remember their little girl was absolutely in love with Mickie. I waited (impatiently) as the weeks passed by. I was so excited and ready to be on this adventure, especially with Jennie and her pup.

I was home in IL for Christmas and Jennie called to tell me she picked her pup Tucker up (which did nothing to help with my impatience). I wouldn’t be back in TN until after the New Year. I remember it was a crazy trip back to TN but the night I got home, I immediately wanted to go pick up my girl. So, my friend Melody and I hopped in my gold Ford Ranger and headed to the farm. Oh, how I loved seeing those pups run around.

I couldn’t be more grateful for the solid foundation she was given. I remember she was this tiny ball of fluff with floppy little ears, a wet nose, and eyes that pierced right through my heart. I knew then and there she was definitely the right choice.

I had decided I was going to be a “tough” mom and make Mickie into a farm dog. I required that she ride on the floor of the truck at all times (that didn’t last long). So I made Melody keep her by her feet on the short ride home. She just stared up like ‘hey, this isn’t so bad’.

It’s funny now because as she’s gotten older and less confident in the car, she finds comfort riding on the floorboard and I think back to those early memories.

She came home that night and we snuggled. I was in love and would do anything for this pup. I never could have imagined the adventure we were about to embark on.