My dog turned 5 years old today. I’m stunned at how time flies by, and normally I don’t post personal stories on my blog, but I’m making a few changes ’round here :) Smart as a whip and a born entertainer, my dog will paw at my laptop when I’ve been working for too long and drop a toy in my lap as a heavy hint. We celebrated his bday in Central Park, and I took some time to think about what I’ve learned from knowing this sweet crazy beautiful soul. We’ve moved about 6 or 7 times in his little lifetime, and yet everywhere we go, Gucci is known as the happiest dog on the block! I think that’s worth taking a look at.
So in honor of his 5th birthday, here are 5 life lessons learned from sharing my days with the most interesting, silly, affectionate, funny, happy, crazy little soul in the form of a stuffed teddy bear, my little dog G.
LESSON 1. Own who you are.
The little man is a toy poodle, 7lbs soaking wet, was born in California and named Gucci. We all know the stigma attached to that. Despite stereotypes, Gucci owns it, struts his stuff with a spring in his step and is unabashadly himself, winning over even the most hardened poodle-hating heart.
LESSON 2. Greet each day with ENTHUSIASM!!
From waking up, going on a walk, getting a treat, meeting a new friend, and chasing a ball… the simplest of moments are treated as INCREDIBLE EVENTS! Every day is worth jumping up and down, smiling like mad, and wagging your tail about.
LESSON 3. Do one thing, do it well.
G fetches balls. Period. And he’s crazy good at it.
LESSON 4. Love the one you’re with.
If you can’t be with the one you love… whoever you are with is the most awesome fascinating being on earth. And where you’re at, is THE place to be.
LESSON 5. Give people a second chance – they’ll come around.
I’m glad Guccenzo has kept me around this long. There was a time when I wasn’t sure I’d make it as a dog person :) the housebreaking thing was driving me mad, the dog kept eating my flip-flops and peeing on guests… but he stuck with me, I came around, and we couldn’t be happier :)
Lots of love and dog licks,
x. Christa and little G.
ps. Bonus tip from Guccenzo: Bark at bigger dogs. It freaks them out :-p
“ps. Bonus tip from Guccenzo: Bark at bigger dogs. It freaks them out :-p ”
Now that is great advice! G, your one smart and and handsome doggie!
Love it! And seriously, Christa, how damn cute is he?!
And I am so proud to have made his acquaintance! Happy Bday G!
Happy B’Day Guc!!!
Love the new hobby. Does Gucci shadow you on many shoots??
He’s a keeper!!
HAHAHA that is the funniest thing ever!
Happy Birthday little man! My most favorite memory is of him literally walking on two feet around our coffee table begging for sushi as we ate!
Love and miss you both!
xoxo
happy birthday little g-man! christa, aren’t they just amazing souls? I love your list of things you’ve learned and they are so true for every dog I’ve ever known. they touch our hearts like nothing else can.
you should totally do a shoot for his birthday! fix him up all boudoir dog style :)
bliss dog blessings,
kimberly (bschool love!)
Love it! He’s so adorable!
Perhaps you should bring Mr. G out here for PartnerCon. He can come & play with Mr. Oliver & Miss Daphne?
Oh my gosh, he’s adorable and I want to eat him!! Love the life lessons!
Aww, my boys still bring him up every so often…he definitely makes an impression!! All my love to the Guch. <3
Gucci is adorable! My big Emma would love him! Yes, we can all learn from our dogs. Things that seem so damn important to us are meaningless to them. Makes you wonder who’s really smarter…
Haha…so true.
I know what you’re talking about. It was my childhood dream to own a dog…It wasn’t easy for us at the beginning too…and he ate my flip-flops, too hehe…But he taught me to be who I’m today, and he helped the whole family when my father became paraplegic, he distraced us…We have grown up together; I was 15 years old as I got my little Westi (West Highland white terrier) puppy, named Filou. I had to learn how to care about him, but he hadn’t to learn how to care about me, he already knew it. A beautiful and special dog, but he died unexpectedly (after 10 years) the week of my sister’s, my father’s and my birthday, it’s about 3 weeks ago…he shared every moment with us, and he fulfilled us with unconditional love and I miss him soooo much.
He came around when I was crying and wiped my tears away with his nose and he talked to me with his eyes and with his behaviors… He was happy every time I came back from University to my parent’s home, where he lived. He was a special dog because he looked for nearness, every time I was seated on the couch he jumped and took his time to find the most comfortable position on my legs, and some positions are like he was searching to hug me…When I had to leave on Sundays for University he jumped on my suite case, like: “I don’t want you to leave”.
I have about more than 500 pictures of my lovely dog…memories and those pictures are what remain…
I love the picture that you took of your dog and I completely agree with the fact that dogs give us beautiful life lessons…
Thanks for sharing this with us…made me think about my little buddy…And how grateful I’m to my parents, who allowed us to own a dog, and to my brother who helped me buy my Canon and take a lot of pictures of my sweety…
Sending love from Lausanne (Switzerland)
xx Susanna Meola