True Love

Growing up we always had several pets running around. I couldn’t have imagined not having cats and dogs to play with! I loved all our animals but I never really understood the crazy love some people had for their animals. I just never felt that connection with any of our pets.

My last year of college I moved home to help save some money. I ended up staying at home for two years since I was constantly going back and forth between Oregon and Iceland. I am so glad I moved back home because my first Christmas after moving back my childhood dream finally came true.

Christmas MorningWho doesn’t dream of waking up to an adorable puppy on Christmas morning! It was love at first sight for me and my favorite blonde. We spent our first day together kissing, going for walks and napping by the fire, a perfect Christmas!

Azora and MeEven though Azora was a gift for the whole family I claimed her as mine. From that day on I documented Azora’s first’s in life like a good mom and drove everyone crazy with my constant pictures. Who could ever get sick of seeing that adorable face is beyond me!

First Bath
Azora First BathFirst time in trouble
Azora in TroubleFirst puppy class
Azora Puppy Class
First staring contestAzora and MeFirst time sitting on command
AzoraYeah I could go on and on with this list, I was picture happy and she was my baby.

The love you have for a pet is a special kind of bond and one others won’t understand unless they have a similar bond with their pets. Its what makes you capable of still thinking they are cute even when they have ate your favorite shoes. It’s the reason you are willing to look past the dog hair so they can sleep (take all the space) in your bed.

Azora in Bed
And they are the only ones that can get away with being in your face non stop and you still love them. With Azora there is no such thing as personal space.

Azora in my Face
The bond between an owner and a pet is amazing and I am so happy to have found true love with my Azora. I totally understand those crazy dog people now and I am proud to say I am apart of that club!

Azora and Me

Question of the Day?
Do you have a pet that you have a special bond with?

Jade and Oak
  • http://djseaward.tumblr.com/ Cynthia

    Your dog is the absolute cutest thing. I know a lot of people say that about dogs but really, I’m not exaggerating. My dog used to do the “head under the couch” thing too. It’s like, don’t you know I can still see you?!?!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks so much Cynthia! I think she is pretty adorable as well :) Haha I know right every time she does the head under the couch thing it cracks me up.

  • http://www.adeecodedlife.com/ Dee

    What a cutie!!! We had dogs while I was growing up too and I claimed some of them as “mine” too, so I can relate to this. And now I want to go cuddle with a puppy right now!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Right, I wish I could go home and cuddle with Azora now!

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda

    I want a dog so badly that I can barely stand it. I read this post with a mixture of adoration and envy ;) x

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I am with you, I refuse to give up my dog campaign until H finally gives in and gets me one:)

  • http://www.jadeoak.com/ jackie jade

    sooooo cute. I never got the bond with pets before either. and now i’m a crazy 2 pug lady - love it! :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It is the best kind of crazy to be I think! Thanks for hosting the link up, love seeing all the pet posts!

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chic-a-DeeDee

    I’ve always had that bond with all of my childhood pets, when I got older I used to be the one taking our dogs on adventures and walks at different places. Even now with our cats being older and my bf’s, and me only coming in the picture a few years ago they’ve adopted me and I can’t imagine life without them. Animals definitely can make your life so much happier :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Animals really do make your life so much happier! Its hard to not smile when they are around.

  • http://sophieinclogs.com Sophie

    Such a cute puppy!! Oy, it must be so hard not to be with her. Are you thinking of getting one in Iceland?
    I am definitely that crazy cat lady who adopts a special voice when speaking about her cat and talks to her cat when she’s home alone. I didn’t have a pet here for a long time and now that I do I know that it makes such a positive difference to my life :D

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thank you! It is so hard not being with her I miss her tons but she is loving life so that makes me happy:) It depends, we have a small apartment so we won’t get one for awhile. There are cats all over here so you would be in heaven! They are all super friendly and love to be pet:)

  • http://www.notentirelyperfect.com/ Stephanie

    She is so adorable!! I love her. I’ve always had pets, my parents had a dog when I was born and we’ve had them every since. In college I had a fish and a bunny, now I’m back to a dog!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thank you! I am trying to at least convince H we need a fish, at least some type of pet! I am glad you back to a dog so I get to see adorable pictures of Hawkeye!

  • http://www.ameliorerlavie.blogspot.com/ Lisa @ Ameliorer la Vie

    The picture of you two asleep by the fire is the cutest thing ever! Haha…what did she do to get in trouble for her first time??

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I love that picture to, when my dad woke us up I was like ahhh true love:) Haha who knows she probably chewed something up.

  • http://tothedayslikethis.blogspot.co.uk/ Sammy Dorn

    Amazing! I was never a dog person, but have fallen for them now! :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Me either! I never really cared to much for our pets but once we got Azora I was in love.

  • http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

    Awww you and Azora are the sweetest! I loved our family pets that we had when I was growing up but since I moved away from home at 17 to go to university, I haven’t had any pets. I am really hopeful I’ll be able to get an adorable pup when Ty and I get home because we both want one so bad! But as we will be renting a house, it doesn’t look promising! I bet you miss Azora like crazy!!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I miss Azora so much! I am in the same position as you and Ty though, were renting right now and it doesn’t look to promising that a dog will be in our near future. I can’t wait to go back home and give Azora some kisses.

  • http://weiderjl.blogspot.com/ Jenn

    I think I fall in love with every animal I meet, it’s a problem! I love Azora and I’ve never met her! My trainer at Schwan’s made fun of my because I got along better with his customers dogs than his actual customers.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Animals are hard not to fall in love with so I don’t blame you!

  • http://voyageofthemeemee.com/ Amanda MeeMee

    Oh my goodness, stop it!!!! THIS IS SO STINKING CUTE!!!! If there’s anything better than dog pictures it’s BABY dog pictures! :D

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Right, I was cooing and ahh all night going through Azora’s puppy pictures!

  • http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/ Sara Rose

    Awwwww! Gosh, I miss my puppy!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Me to! I wish our dogs would travel with us!

  • Kellee Koga

    I absolutely love goldens~~~~ Just stopping by from the blog hop =)
    Kellee
    http://www.kelleethecaffeinated.blogspot.com

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks for stopping by Kellee! Azora is my first Golden but I am in love.

  • http://southernbelle23.blogspot.com/ Whitney @ EHFAR

    Awww how cute!!

    I love both of my dogs. One sleeps in the bed with me.. like spoons with me. The other one sleeps in the floor but he likes it there, because he hates being disturbed while he sleeps.

    One time at the dog park, this dog came up to me and sat by me. I was petting him and loving on him like I do my own. Someone thought it was mine, because they asked me if it was. I was like, nope. HAHA!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Haha! I would probably do the same as well and just start loving on someone else dog. I miss having Azora to cuddle with in bed!

  • Jessica Shannon

    Aww what a gorgeous dog!! I love puppies!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Puppies are just the cutest!

  • http://ifsandsandbutts.com/ Alex

    Goldens are the sweetest!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      They are so sweet, I miss giving Azora kisses. At least my family keeps me updated with lots of pictures!

  • Lara

    I’m incurably dog crazy! I have my third rescue dog and am awaiting a foster dog from the Bahamas. I grew up with them and can’t imagine having at least one dog in my life always. Azora is such a lovely girl and you must miss her like crazy. Is there a story behind her name?

    http://myrubicondays.blogspot.com/

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I agree, I can’t imagine not having a dog in my life! I miss Azora so much! There actually is a story behind her name. My little sister was learning about George Washington and read that he had a dog named Azor. We liked the name but added an A for a girly twist:)

  • http://www.thetravelhack.com The Travel Hack

    What a cutie!

    It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t own a pet how special they are. But I love it when you meet another dog owner who just ‘gets it’ and knows how much you love your pooch.

    I have a little French Bulldog. I’ve only had him a couple of months but already can’t imagine not having him around the house.