So today is Princess Yazmine's birthday. Sixteen today! Yaz is my constant in life. I truly dread the day when she isn't with me. But now we look back at this girl's time.
People see me, a pretty large guy, with this tiny dog...and it gets many different reactions. Surprise, laughter, odd looks...but I know that regardless of her size, she huge with personality and zest.
Yaz was a Christmas pup...I originally bought her for the girl I was dating and living with. I picked up her up on Xmas Eve 1998. There was a snowstorm that day, so the drive that would have normally taken 2 hours took almost 4. She came from a breeder so when I arrived it was her and a few of her brothers and sisters...but she was the one. The perfect color and the cutest face. After the girl I was dating cheated on me she had to move back to her parents house...and they said no dog. So Yaz stayed with me. At the time I was young and working a lot. Moving around and such. My mom had a miniature Pomeranian as well, Meeko, so I decided it would be good for her to be there. So Yaz lived with my Mom and Meeko for many years. Meeko was like a mother to her. Yaz had always been a bit shy. I found out later that when she had lived with me my roommates friends had not been the nicest to her. Not beating her, but rather scaring her when she was just a pup. And this seemed to leave a mark on her. To this day I wish I had known this was going on...but with Meeko she bloomed and was a happy girl. With my Mom she traveled the country...all the way from California to New York...Mexico to Michigan and so many places in between. If she could talk she would definitely have some stories to tell.
About six years ago Meeko passed away. Yaz was unsure of what do to. Her sadness was evident. She seemed lost. That's when she became my shadow. Pretty much wherever I went she was with me. From then on it has been me and her. Little before this time she had began losing her hair. The vet we went to couldn't really figure it out...it wasn't until a few years ago that we found out from a different vet that she had what was called canine pseudo-cushings. This causes them to lose the hair on their bodies...but not the head or legs. There are some other effects, but nothing life threatening...so since she was already 12 years old when we found out about this we decided not to put her on a bunch of medication...besides she already had a very large wardrobe of sweaters and dresses.
So here we are...16th birthday...I know I am incredibly lucky to have had her in my life for so long. When Meeko passed away we had her cremated...so one day they will be together again. I can only hope to have as many days with her as possible...
