The Dog That Changed the World

"Happiness is a warm puppy." -Charles Schulz, and something I routinely say to Luna.

Before Peanut made me a father, Luna made me a dad. I know how ridiculous that sounds, especially  to non-pet people. It's even more ridiculous when you consider it's coming from me. Let me be clear: I am NOT a dog person. I do not like your dog. I do not think your dog is cute. I don't want to pet your dog. I definitely don't want your dog licking me. Gross. There are some exceptions but for the most part, gross.

I feel like this picture looks like
someone caught us having an affair

I am, however, an unapologetic Luna person. It borders on manic. She is E.T. to my Elliot. My furry little friend who is my only company at the buttcrack of morning and the quiet of night. I sing her songs. In fact, our morning routine consists of her standing at the kitchen doorway waiting to be fed as I include her name in whatever song happens to be in my head that day. (Recent hits include "Call Me Luna," "If You Get Caught Between The Loo and New York City," and "Just a Spoonful of Luna Helps the Medicine Go Down.")

I am however, not alone in my adoration for Luna and my placement of her upon her puppy pedestal. During Luna's most recent check-up, I explained to the veterinarian how I was never a dog person. How I'm still not a dog person. How I am only a Luna person. I told her how My Director kept hinting and asking and pleading for years. For seven years. (A dog year.) She wanted a dog. She is a dog person. I kept refusing. Absolutely not. I'm allergic. Dogs are messy. And I just don't like them.

Then she sent me an online picture of Luna, who was called "Muffin" at the time. (She is SO not a Muffin.) My icy dog-hating heart melted. A bond was formed:

Our relationship borders on inappropriate at times

Luna gets inappropriate at times

I proceeded to tell the vet how even my in-laws, perpetually dog people but big dog people, had their minds changed by this stubborn little lovable furry princess:

Shielding herself from the heat

Seriously with this pose?

Her response? "Luna changed the world."

I never thought of it that way. But yes, she did. I would never have imaged I could love a dog so much. Let alone, this ridiculous 12-pound stinkface whose curly tail always tells the tale, who keeps me up nights if there's a thunderstorm, who will whimper at me to play with her the minute I sit down after a long day. Then who will without fail take my place on the couch after I've laid down on the floor to engage her. Ridiculous.

One night this week I asked Peanut who taught her to be funny. "You, daddy," she said. "And Luna." I love that statement. But more for the fact that she mentioned Luna. Luna, the dog with the perpetually shmoopy tail; the dog with the stinky grille and snarfy puss. The dog whose voice sounds like Cheech Marin even though she's a female Asian breed and I'm Italian-American.

Happy 7th birthday the dog who changed the world:

I can forgive Luna when she misbehaves easier than I can forgive Peanut when she does. Click here to find out why.