Tabitha

Hi everyone. My name is Tabitha… Don’t ask me… That’s just what my mom said she thought of for a name the moment she saw me. I’m making it work, and I anticipate it will be on the top ten list of puppy names by the year 2024.  I used to be a street dog – I prefer that term to “stray.” I say that because a dog can’t stray if it never had a place from whence to stray. I don’t now how old I am, but that’s the case for a decent amount of adults on Navajo Nation who don’t have clear birth records, so what’s the matter?

 I first met Todd and Ashley in early November 2021. I noticed they had a rather amicable and playful dog in the yard and we often played through the fence. One day, I must have looked particularly charming, because Todd asked Ashley if he could let me in to play with Daisy. You could tell Ashley was nervous – but hell, when isn’t she? Much to my appreciation, she acquiesced . Daisy and I hit it off! We chased each other, sniffed butts, dug holes in the sand, sniffed butts some more, and barked at those godforsaken goliath crows that perch themselves eerily on the fences and telephone wires throughout the Rez. I’m not used to sticking around one place for very long, so I said my goodbyes and went on my way.

…Only to come back the next day. This time, it was Ashley whom I schmoozed and she snuck me food and water. We went on this way for about a week. Then one day, (the day after Ashley and Todd just had their annual budget meeting, and remarked how much they were saving on pet care), Todd looked at Ashley with the Cheshire grin that he only wears when he’s itching to break with convention. The next thing I knew I was inside the house and had a collar on. Don’t get me wrong, I love the concept of a collar, but lordy are they uncomfortable for a free spirit such as myself.  The rest is pretty much history.

At first, I had no clue how to be a housedog, but I am forever indebted to Daisy who showed me the ropes. One of the first things she taught me is how to cross my legs when I lay down. And so now, I refuse to lay any other way. I feel like my life is the puppy version of the movie Pretty Woman. I am so sophisticated now! Shortly after that, I learned that voices from the TV aren’t actually intruders in the house. The first time that mom turned on the TV, I peed myself then jumped clear over the back of the couch to hide at the sound of Morgan Freeman’s voice. I’d like to think I’ve become an exceptional guard dog since then and I never hesitate to join Daisy at the window to bark at some questionably lurking character.

What mom and dad don’t know is that I put the word out on the Rez that they are complete softies. So, every now and then another street dog will come by and see if there’s room at the inn. We’re actually “fostering” one right now until we can find her a good home… that’s at least what mom keeps saying. Joke’s on them. I’m hoping to be a not infrequent guest writer here to give you another perspective on Rez life. But until next time, live by these words for guaranteed happiness, “If you can’t eat it, or play with it, simply pee on it and walk away.”

Yours truly,

Tabitha

P.S. In all seriousness, if anyone lives in the Flagstaff or Phoenix area and is interested in adopting a 4-5 mo uncannily affectionate female golden retriever mix, please message us using the website contact page. She gets along well with other dogs, and is in the process of house breaking.