All In The Family
Although this topic site is entitled “Single Urban Women”, it is in no way meant to exclude those of you out there for whom I have the utmost admiration: the single mother. Whether by your own choice or someone else’s, you have THE toughest job in the world – being both a father and a mother to your child(ren). I have often wondered how different would my life be, how I would be, if I had children.
Even though I have always claimed I never wanted children, I must confess that a little over two years ago, I suddenly had maternal urges. I was at the perfect age for this to happen, and so to quell these desires (finances weren’t solvent, was in an apartment, didn’t feel emotionally ready), I bought a dog. This would cure me, I thought to myself – this would take away all those longings to change a diaper or be spit up on. A dog it would have to be (I'm allergic to cats).
The name came first – “Sparky” just seemed to be a perfect name for my future little man. In addition, I was certain I wanted a male dog since there were only female pets in my life for as far back as I can remember (excluding the ill-fated Rusty who died of distemper three days after my parents brought him home – I was 2 ½). The Internet, of course, helped me by providing so much information on different breeds. I took tests to determine which dog would suit me and my lifestyle the best. In fact, I must have taken Purina’s test about ten times, varying my answers just slightly to accommodate the “what-ifs” that multiple-choice tests don’t allow for.
Every single time, the trio of breeds recommended for me had one thing that remained consistent: it seems I was meant to have a Miniature Pinscher join my family of one.
Sparky and I were introduced through a breeder who also rescued Min Pins. Although Sparky was in no danger of losing his life (he was too tall to be a show dog and was therefore being sold as a pet), I immediately thought I must have this timid creature that wouldn’t even sit in my lap that first day. Visions of this feisty guy (I told you, I did research and I knew the breed fairly well) running through my home made me smile from the inside out. $150 later, I was on my way to my mom’s to show her my little man.
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