Doggy DNA

For my 29^th birthday Bill got me the Wisdom Panel Mixed Breed DNA kit.  I had been thinking about Coco’s exact make-up for some time. Knowing that she is a chocolate lab, pit bull mix doesn’t quite satisfy my curiosity. Since I imagine her as our adopted child, we (and by “we” I mean “I”) want to know everything we can about her birth parents.  I know, in my very logical and sane brain that she is just a dog (mostly because Bill reminds me of this daily), but I can’t help but wonder about where she came from. 

I hadn’t told Bill that I wanted such a test, nor did I ever in a million years think for a second that he even knew they existed.  I was about knocked over when I found out that he ordered the kit for me.  I was touched the he knew me so well, though after being together for 9 years, I really shouldn’t be.  He’s a real sensitive kind of guy when he wants to be. His thoughtfulness was present enough, but the actual present was perfect.

After we swabbed Coco’s cheek, which was a feat, I sent away for our copy of her family tree.  It is supposed to trace back to her great-grandparents, the breed that make up her “mixed breed” DNA.  I’ve heard that these tests are far from accurate, but after doing some research online, I’m fairly confident that it was worth Bill’s money. 

It’s been 3 weeks and 2 days and I don’t think I can take another day!  Every time I look at her I think I see some other type of breed.  Yesterday, when she was looking particularly alert (her attention was fixated on what I’m pretty sure was just a squirrel), I convinced myself she is part Doberman.  I have to have some truth soon, even if it is a semi-truth!

Mama's Girl

I’m sure it is not surprising to you, but Coco has turned into a bit of a Mama’s Girl.  Or so says Bill.  I think he’s a little jealous of this considering I didn’t even want to get her in the first place.  He’s right though, she is a Mama’s Girl.  She follows me around the house and snuggles in my lap when I sit on the couch.  She lies next to my side of the bed in the evening when we are watching TV (unless Bill is eating a snack, then she is waiting with baited breath for a fallen crumb).  Technically, we think of her as Bill’s dog, but it is becoming obvious to everyone that she favors me.

This is not to say that she doesn’t like him, not at all.  In fact, if she wants to play, she will always hit him up first.  It seems she gets much more pleasure out of her few hours of playing with Daddy than she does being Mommy’s snuggle bunny.  So why is it that she is so close to me? 

I read somewhere that sleeping with your puppy fosters a deep connection.  I was worried after the first time we took Coco to the vet and she happily left me behind to wonder off to the back with a complete stranger, that she would never feel “at home” with us.  I listened to the advice of the expert and took naps with Coco (since we both agreed we did not want her in the bed with us).  I sat on the floor and rubbed her belly.  When she seemed agitated, I let her lay on my chest and hugged her.  I tried to get her as close physically as I could so that she would feel as connected as possible. 

I guess it worked.