4 years ago, while madly in love, I drove to California

It took me 3 days, 2 gallons of coffee, and one mental breakdown

 

This February, I bought a puppy

She is the first dog I have owned since childhood

 

The drive had nothing to do with being in love

I was visiting family.  My partner was 8,000 miles away

 

My puppy’s name is Xena, like the warrior princess

I guess I’m hoping she rubs off on me like that

 

My family and I walked through the streets of Palm Springs

Little shops were around every corner

 

Xena is headstrong and rambunctious

“Cuddles” is her favorite word

 

As we passed by one shop, I saw a dress on sale

It was everything I thought a wedding gown should be

 

Xena passed obedience training at the top of her class

The trainer couldn’t believe how well-behaved she was

 

The dress fit me perfectly and I cried

$400 later, it was mine

 

Xena is training to be a service dog

I bought her at the advice of my psychiatrist

 

I kept the dress a secret

My partner and I had talked about the future, but we weren’t engaged

 

Xena was $1,000

I got her when she was 3 months old

 

I figured there was no harm in buying a dress early

When would I ever find a dress like that again?

 

Xena’s training costs $2,995

By this time next year, she will be fully trained

 

We had been together a year and a half

I knew he was the man I’d marry

 

Xena is supposed to be the one that helps me

I don’t do well living in society

 

Yesterday, I found Xena next to my dress

It was in tatters.  There were beads all over the floor

 

2 months after I bought that dress 4 years ago

I broke up with the man I thought I’d marry

 

Xena is helping me learn to live alone

I can’t believe how well she understands her task