Goomba King

It has been a looooooong day coming, but it finally came! I am the proud owner of a boxer. His name is Goomba (yes, that is a Mario reference) and he is 3 months old. And I am completely in love with him.


It started when I was 14 and wanted to work, or even just volunteer, at the local kennel/vet for the summer. Carol said no, but if I came back next year they would pay me. So I came back the next summer, and two more after that. I was the person who walked down the kennel petting the dogs which were super cute (obviously) and also petting the dogs not as cute because I felt bad for them not getting as much attention.


I returned to the dog scene the summer of 2006. I was suddenly moving home for the summer and needed a job. My friend Kristina told me about a doggy daycare she worked for. I applied and got the job. Working at a doggy daycare was awesome. I got to hang out with tons of dogs in a huge enclosed area playing with each other. I was sad to leave, but just like my summer job at the kennel, I had to go back to school.


Next came You Work I'll Play (YWIP). Another doggy daycare for the summer, but I ended up staying to work during the school year too. If you live in Asheville I highly recommend bringing you dog here. Jill and Jason (the owners) are awesome people and really love the dogs. It was so much better then the other doggy daycare I worked at in so many ways. I decided if I couldn't have a dog yet then I'd work with them to get my dog fix in. I loved that place.


So that is my dog history. I clearly have wanted a dog since forever but being the responsible person I am was putting it off until I knew I was financially ready and stable. Because you better believe I'm going to spoil this dog. That time came a few months ago. I started looking, for real. There were a few dogs and rescue places I applied to and talked (or tried to) to people. I always knew I wanted a boxer (but didn't care if it was a mix) and was happy to get one already 2 years old. Skip the house training and all that jazz. Everything kept  falling through. No one got back to me about Morris, Bailey was adopted already, and someone slipped in before I could get there in time for Falco. Falco broke my heart and I needed a few days to recover before looking again. I got back on the wagon and found Sugar Ray (who will from this point forward be known as Goomba). A puppy would be a lot of work but I knew I could handle it. I sent my application and someone replied IMMEDIATELY. I knew this was a good sign. I tried really hard not to get my hopes up, not to get excited, and not to tell hardly anyone about this. I didn't want to jinx things or have another Falco incident telling everyone it didn't work out. I would not even let myself smile when I thought about this dog, although a few smiles slipped by. My application checked out, they got the landlord approval, someone came over for a home visit, and then I got my approval letter. Goomba would be ready for me to pick up Saturday December 4th.


I woke up on Saturday and told myself to act normal and don't rush because I have a tendency of getting everywhere too early. I left my house around 11 to drive to Hampton, NH where the dogs would be dropped off at 3 by Last Change Highway. I stopped in Manchester on the way to get things like a crate, food, bowls, beds. I got to the Hampton rest area around 2. A full hour early, but I didn't even care. I was playing on my phone and at 2:36 looked up and saw the truck! OMG HERE HE COMES!!! I got the biggest smile ever on my face. Everyone started getting out of their cars holding leashes and also sporting that same huge smile and excitement.


We formed a line and when it was our turn we told them what dog we were picking up. I said Sugar Ray and he replied, "Oh one of the twins." I said, "uh....okay? I don't know". I don't know why no one told me he was a twin because I am sure I would have taken both if I only knew. He reappeared from the truck holding my dog and my jaw dropped. He was so much cuter then in his picture. I loved him instantly. It is a feeling that's indescribable and unforgettable. I'm now glad I got a puppy because when he's all grown up he will forever be my little Goomba. I sat in the car for about half an hour taking pictures and petting him before I left. This is our very first picture together.

He slept most of the drive home, but once we got him he was the happiest puppy there ever was. He was running around wagging his tail, licking my face, playing with his toys. Deb was right during the home visit when she told me the dogs just know they are being rescued. He knew he was now somewhere good.


During potty training you're supposed to put them in their crate to sleep. It's safe to assume I broke this rule. I tried twice but he cried so hard I couldn't take it anymore. So I let him sleep in my bed with me, where he belongs.


I still look at him every few minutes to remind myself that I actually have a dog, after all this time. Dreams really do come true! And that's what I'm reminded of whenever I look at him. Goomba and I are really happy together and he follows me wherever I go. I've already got a plan for when and where to start puppy socialization and obedience training. He's already started picking up some things and it's only day 3! My dog is going to be so smart.


Best birthday present ever! :) I leave you with some pictures.

Thank you for the photos Adam and Liana.