With his own bedroom, wardrobe and extravagant birthday paw-ties, Jade's dog lives the high life...
Finally sitting down for a breather, I took in the chaos unfolding around me.
I worked in television and was on the set of
a CBeebies show called Twirlywoos.
It was an episode with a lot of pug puppies in it. And while they were causing havoc, they were so darn cute!
‘I wish I could take you home,’ I said to one, as he licked my face.
Since childhood, I’d been a huge dog lover. And ever since watching 101 Dalmatians, I’d been determined to have a spotty pup of my own.
But now I had a new obsession — pugs!
I was still living at home with my mum and sister, but one evening, I thought I’d try my luck.
‘Mum…’ I started. ‘How would you feel if
I brought home a little bundle of joy?’
Her eyes widened.
‘No, not a baby!’ I said quickly. ‘Well, not a two-legged one anyway.’
A pup-fan too, she was happy for me to look for
a furry friend.
‘You’ll have to care for it, mind,’ she said.
A smile swept across my face and
I began searching for local dog breeders.
I discovered an owner who was only 10 minutes away. She had a pug called Lola who had just birthed her first litter.
It’s a sign, I thought.
Before I knew it, I was being introduced to Lola and
her brood.
'I wish I could take you home'
‘We’ve got three puppies to choose from, two girls and a boy,’ her owner explained.
‘They’re actually jugs —
a quarter Jack Russell and three-quarter pug. This means they’re less likely to suffer with the health issues pugs are prone to,’ she added.
As I looked at the puppies in the pen,
I was drawn to the little lad. Playful and energetic, he looked so sweet.
At this point he was 12 weeks old, so I was able to take him home that day.
Bundling him into a dog carrier, we headed off.
I’d already bought a bed, blanket, a few toys and some bowls, so he could get settled in right away.
‘Have you thought of a name?’ Mum asked, as we watched him play.
‘What about Gizmo?’ I asked.
‘Love it!’ Mum smiled.
Now he had a name, my new fur baby finally felt part of the family.
Gizmo slept so well that night, and the next day we went on a jug-gy shopping spree.
I splurged on toys, clothes and accessories for Gizmo.
It took him no time to feel comfortable in his new digs, and everyone who visited was as besotted with him as I was.
Gizmo quickly became accustomed to being around people, which made it easy to take him anywhere.
He particularly liked our local pub. The staff and punters all fawned over him, and my pooch loved the spotlight!
As he grew in confidence,
I entered him into local dog competitions.
He was fur-ever coming home with prizes and rosettes.
‘I’m so pleased everyone sees what I see,’ I told him, after he won Best In Show at one event.
People gravitated towards Gizmo, so I set up his own Instagram page. Likes and followers soon flooded in.
One day, I was scrolling through Instagram when I noticed something interesting on another’s dog’s profile.
He was celebrating something called ‘Gotcha Day’ — the day when you got your dog.
‘Look, Gizmo, we can celebrate your birthday and your Gotcha Day,’ I cooed. ‘Just another excuse to spoil you!’
For his first birthday, I pulled out all the stops.
'He's more clothes than I do!'
He had a special breakfast and dinner, along with a pup-friendly cake and a sea of presents.
I also decorated the house, and invited friends and family around for a tea party to raise a toast to my boy.
It became tradition to do the same for every following Gotcha Day and birthday.
A few years later, my boyfriend Chris and I moved into our own house.
‘You know the third bedroom is Gizmo’s,’ I said to Chris.
‘I wouldn’t expect anything less,’ he laughed.
I was so lucky he understood there was another man in my life!
Once
we’d settled, I got to work putting together Gizmo’s room.
I painted the walls a calming grey colour and papered one of them.
Next, I bought him his own sofa, as well as a paw-drobe for all of his outfits.
‘He’s got more clothes than I do!’ Chris joked as I put Gizmo’s outfits on to little hangers.
As Gizmo’s social media following grew, some brands started to send him freebies, including food and treats.
We often donated them to local dogs’ homes, though. Otherwise my hound would have ended up being the size of a house!
Months on, Chris and I were
on holiday in Lanzarote, when
my phone rang. It was my Mum, FaceTiming me.
‘Hi, Mum. How’s my little Gizmo doing?’
‘He’s got something to show you,’ she said, before panning the camera towards him.
Then I let out a little squeak!
He was wearing a vest that read: Mummy, will you marry Daddy?
Nearly dropping the phone,
I turned to see Chris, who was down on one knee with a ring!
‘Of course I will!’ I cried.
Now we’re planning the big day, and of course Gizmo will play a huge part!
We’ve found a dog-friendly venue so he can be ‘Best Boy’ for the day.
I’ve already had a special harness custom-made, that matches Chris’s suit.
Gizmo will carry the rings down the aisle, and I can’t wait!
After all, I’ll be at the altar next to my two favourite men!
Jade McKenna, 30, Coventry, West Midlands