our love story

I was never really into dogs. Or any animal actually. I thought it was completely inappropriate for humans to live with animals. Yea, I was one of those people. I think it had to do with some traumatic childhood experiences but I won't go into that sad story. 

The good news is, this all changed in 2009.

Oh wait, back up... you thought this story was about Jared and I??? 

Oh no no no... This love story is about Duke and I. 

(yes, I have more than one man in my life)

But you can read about Jared and I here.

So anyway, what was I saying? Oh yea, so this somehow changed in 2009. I lived in NYC at the time and took a little vacay back home to Texas. Naturally, I spent time with my friends. One of them was Brandon.
Brandon is easily one of the coolest guys I know. But anyway, he had a roommate named Joey who had a dog named Brutus. Well I don't know what it was about Brutus, but he changed my attitude towards dogs. I fell in love with him right away.

Brutus and I in 2009

My life was changed after that. I went from Cruella Deville to the biggest puppy lover on the planet.
It was weird.

Then I married Jared in June of 2010.
We discussed having a dog several times. My friends were skeptical, and sometimes so was I. Puppies are just so precious though, how could I not have one? We were (and still are) unsure about having kids (which I semi-explain here) so getting a dog seemed like the next best thing. (Is it normal to think that?)
We knew that we would need a certain type of dog. We lived in an apartment so it couldn't be too big or too active, we wanted a puppy or at least a young dog, and I was really set on adopting and not purchasing a dog from a breeder.
We casually searched Craigslist for a dog that fit our criteria.

One day, in June of 2011, after almost a year of marriage, I received a text from Jared with a photo.

My response was: "I want him!"
Jared told me that his name was Duke, he was a puggle (pug + beagle), he was 6 months old, he had already been in 3 homes, he was up-to-date with his shots, and they were giving him away for FREE.
Sounds too good to be true, right?

The next day, Jared and I drove to a house to meet Duke. We stepped out of our car and there he was, a little wrinkled-face baby. It was love at first sight! I knelt down and he ran up to me and gave me sweet puppy kisses! - which is really strange because Duke never runs up to strangers (this is also when I realized I could never wear black again). It was pretty much game over. I had to have him. Jared and I exchanged looks of agreement and, just like that, he was ours.

On his way to his new home, this is Duke's first picture as a Taylor.

I fall more in love with him every single day. I didn't even know it was possible to love an animal this much. I guess it's because, to us, he is not an animal. He's a part of the family.

Duke's first trip to the beach.

I used to make fun of people who treated their pets like people. I'm definitely one of those now. If I could take Duke with me everywhere, I would. I had my first "mother's day" this year and I legitimately felt like a mother! I'm so protective of him..I can't imagine how I would be with a child. I'll admit, I'm obsessed.

I will also admit that Duke is a pain in the butt.
He's very smart but so stubborn.
He's very timid and scared of everything and everyone.
(We think he may have been beaten before we adopted him which breaks my heart!)
He's obsessed with socks.
He ALWAYS needs attention.
He will eat anything.

love looking into his puppy eyes!

But all of that is so worth it. He's the biggest cuddle bug, has the softest fur, and has such a personality!
He's definitely changed our lives. We've had to make some sacrifices.
But again, it's worth it.
He melts my heart!

my sweet little family!

If you can't get enough of him, like me, you can read this or search #duketaylor on instagram :)