🐾 She Chose Me: The Story of Onyx

April 19th will always mean something special to me.

It’s Onyx’s birthday.

In all the writing I've done on this blog, I've never actually told the story of how she came into my life. So on her birthday, it feels right to finally share it.

When I say I wanted a dog, I mean I had it mapped out like a project plan.

• The name? Planned.

• The breed? Researched.

• Dog houses? Bookmarked.

• Pet insurance? Already comparing options.

I didn’t know if I wanted to adopt or go through a breeder, but one thing about me—I was going to be prepared. Very on-brand for me.

I was not playing around. Receipts below LOL

One day I stumbled onto an app called Good Dog. I wasn't seriously looking — just browsing out of curiosity. I messaged three different breeders, but one woman stood out immediately. She was professional, detailed, responsive, and happened to be a certified nurse who ran a thoughtful, quality breeding operation. I was sold on her before I was even sold on a dog.

I told her I was interested in one of her boys — I think his name was Thyme at the time, because she was naming the litter after spices. She confirmed he was available, sent me the details, and then, almost in passing, said: "You should see my girl. She's this beautiful black blob."

And she sent this photo. That was it. Game over.

LOOK AT HER!! YA'LL I WAS HOOKED!

For Onyx's original name to be Pepper, if you know Onyx, you would understand why that name is so fitting. Spicy little girl she is! LOL

I want you to understand, I had zero intention of bringing home a girl. Zero. Zip. Nada. But the second I saw her, something in me just… shifted. I forgot what the boy even looked like. I said yes before I had time to think about it. Yeah. I want her. Absolutely.

She was born April 19, 2023.

Looking back, this is one of those stories I keep in my pocket as proof — proof that sometimes what you think you want is just a placeholder for something so much better that you couldn't have imagined it yet. I had the plan. I had the spreadsheet energy. And the universe still managed to hand me something completely off-script.

I truly believe dogs choose you. I didn't find Onyx — Onyx found me. And every day since, she's shown me exactly why. She's smart. She's sassy. She's witty in a way that makes me laugh out loud in my own apartment. She is a full diva, and somehow we've made space in this house for both of us.

I think this is what divine timing actually looks like when you zoom out. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just a casual "you should see my girl" from a stranger on an app, and suddenly your whole life tilts three degrees in the right direction.

Three years in, I can't picture my life any other way.

Happy birthday, Onyx. Thank you for choosing me.

Cheers to many, many more. 🖤