The Good Things: Winston

The purpose of this blog is to inform you, (someone curious about autoimmune diseases) about my autoimmune diseases. But I want to tell you a little bit more about myself. The things that people who don't know how sick I am, know. The Good Things.

Being sick is a big part of my life but it is not my whole story. 

Yes; having chronic conditions has made me sick. It controls how I eat and somethings that I do on an everyday basis. But it has unintentionally brought me good things, lasting memories, funny stories, and has helped me to realize what I want to be when I am older.

One day when I was about twelve years old. I was running low on one of my prescriptions, so my mom and I went to CVS to pick it up. The CVS that I went to happened to be next to a puppy store. My mom and I walked in after we went to the pharmacy to look at the puppies. I thought (if I got lucky) I would get to pet one. In the middle of the store was the smallest dog I had ever seen. His ears were double the size of his body, his body was about the size of a softball, he had shiny black peppered hair, and he happened to be hypoallergenic. 

I asked one of the employees if I could hold him and she let me. I picked him up, cradled him, and fell in love. I gave him to my mom and she also fell in love. When we put him on the ground he ran in crazy fast circles around the store. He finally ended up under one of the shelves (which stood about three inches above the ground) And I was sold! 

I went home and explained to my dad and my two younger sisters that my mom and I had found the perfect addition to our family. 

My family isn't the type to just adopt a dog. I had to beg and plea.

I had a few hoops to jump through...

My sister did not like dogs, my other sister loved them but could not be in a room with a dog without welts invading her skin, he was expensive and we weren't puppy shopping or prepared for him. 

I took my family around our house showing them where he would live and promising them that I would feed him, bathe him, and clean up after him. 

Finally, my family agreed to give him a glance and we piled in the car.

My younger sister who at the time was deathly afraid of dogs loved him.

My youngest sister who is highly allergic to dogs did not break out. My parents went so far as rubbing him on her face and waiting an hour for her to break out, yet she didn't! 

I went home with a tiny puppy in complete shock.

That day my family adopted Winston. 

We wanted a leash as most dog owners do, but could not find one that was small enough. A few weeks later we found him a hamster leash that fit perfectly.

We bought him the smallest crate available but could not potty train him. We quickly realized it was too big for him. He had enough room to pee on one side and walk to the other and sleep comfortably. He has the same crate today but a very comfy bed that holds him snuggly in the middle. 

Winston only requires one bag of dog food every two months and he is easy to clean up after.

He still runs quickly and when this happens he is usually quilty about something.

Winston is a Chorkie. He weighs in at a whopping 3 pounds and grew to stand about 7 inches off the ground. 

We have in a way become immune to Winston's cuteness but I think it's so cute that we can not go on a walk without people reminding us and complimenting him. 

If we ride our bikes he tags along and lays low in his basket. 

When I am sick at home, Winston is my therapist and he makes me feel so much better. He will just fall asleep on my lap while I watch TV. When I have a flare he licks my joints. I think he can tell when they are in pain. Winston's presence makes me feel better and he has gotten me through some bad days. 

I sometimes forget to appreciate, the adorable "forever puppy" who at five years old can fit in the basket of my bike. I need to remember the good things in life and Winston is one of the best! 

I can't believe that if I hadn't been at CVS picking up prescriptions, I wouldn't have met him and we wouldn't have him.

Winston in my bike basket