Today is the day I tell you about a friend of mine named Mocha. He is really cute, tiny, and an all-around good little creature. Okay, okay I will tell you. Mocha is my chihuahua. He is so incredibly adorable. I will try to stop writing about how cute he is but just know that it will be hard.
When I was little, I wanted a dog of my own so badly. I would walk my stuffed animal around with a leash and pretend he was real live dog. I told my mom I wanted a dog so bad and that I would buy him and take care of him. Well, I actually wanted a girl, but in life you don’t always get what you want. Anyways, I started searching online for puppies. You probably know this, but puppies are ridiculously more expensive than adult dogs. When I first started my search, I was looking for a bulldog or corgi puppy (my favorite breeds) for an affordable cost. That means I would be able to work something out based on my 10-year-old allowance and any extra money from birthdays, chores, Christmas, etc. Needless to say, the puppies I found online that were those breeds were WAY too expensive. Although after buying the dog I bought, it really would not have been that much more.
The second phase of my search took place at Petland. I know; Petland is not known for their great treatment of animals. When I was 10 I didn’t really understand that, but at least I got my puppy out of a bad situation even if that did mean giving money to the enemy. I went there with an idea of what I could spend based on my allowance and monthly payments I could make to my mom to pay off the dog. I wanted a small dog that would behave and be loving and sweet. Basically the dream dog. We looked at one dog that was really cute but a little too wound up for me.
Next I saw him, this tiny, black and brown chihuahua that was so incredibly and wonderfully cute. I didn’t expect myself to go for a chihuahua, but he freaking stole my heart. Colleen, the lady who was helping us with our search, told us that he was $700. That is a lot, I know. I really loved him, and my mom and I were trying to see if I could make it work. I called my dad to get his opinion. I ended the call in tears because my dad didn’t approve. He told me that he didn’t want me to become a stuck-up girl with a lap dog and be in debt. That really tore me up, but I knew that puppy was the one. I had already given him the name Mocha, and it was perfect. My mom’s card was approved for the purchase, and I took that as a sign. A family had tried to buy him the day before and their card was declined. That was another sign. Basically the fates aligned and now I have my adorable, beautiful puppy. The price did increase though because Petland makes you buy all of this puppy care stuff, so that may not have been a sign. It doesn’t matter though because I still got my puppy.
Mocha is now seven years old. I am proud to say that I paid him off in six months. I take care of his medical bills and his food and water. The water really breaks the budget, but we make it work. Actually, my mom has pitched in with his food a lot and the water comes with the house, so I am not completely a financially independent mother. Mocha is a little bit obsessed with me, but that is just how all dogs are. Sometimes he gets annoying and clingy, but I love him all the same.
I am telling this story because I wanted something so bad when I was 10 years old that I just did it. I followed a “dream,” if you will. Because of a decision I made at such a young age, I have learned more about responsibility, love, and happiness than I ever would have without taking a chance. I am so thankful for my puppy and proud of my 10-year-old self. I look back and want to approach all of my life like I did back then. I want to take risks and be responsible. I want to defy the odds. Every kid says that they will take care of the new family pet, but then the mom always ends up doing it all. I stuck to my word. Yes, my mom has helped out some because that is in her nature, but Mocha is my dog. This story may show you something in your life that you need to just go for. You need to approach your situation as a 10-year-old with a dream. If you try that, what you are able to accomplish might surprise you.
Faking It Made 