u/Aumeya

Don’t know where I’d be without them

One year!

I’ve spent this last year watching Kuma become more of himself.

The older I get, the less I believe our role is to shape dogs into who we want them to be. I think our responsibility is to create enough safety that they have the freedom to become exactly who they are.

Kuma came into this world with a body that didn’t quite follow the blueprint. His little eye never fully developed, his mouth tells its own story, and there are still things we’ll navigate together as he grows.

My body never followed the blueprint either.

I think that’s part of why we recognized each other so quickly. Neither of us has ever had the luxury of taking our bodies for granted. We’ve both had to adapt instead of resist. There are days when our limitations ask more of us than we’d like, but they’ve also shaped the way we move through the world, with a little more awareness, a little more patience, and a deeper appreciation for what our bodies can do.

Then there’s who Kuma simply is.

Gentleness has always been his default. He seeks connection before conflict. He’d rather investigate than react. He’s deeply emotionally attuned, endlessly curious, and carries a quiet confidence that has never depended on having a “perfect” body.

We’re both water signs, both navigating bodies that wrote their own stories, and somehow we found each other at exactly the right time. Whether that’s coincidence, intuition, or something I’ll never have words for, I don’t know. I just know our connection has always felt different.

I’ve always believed that every living being arrives in this world with their own blueprint. Not one that’s meant to be compared to anyone else’s, but one that’s entirely their own.

Happy first birthday, little bear.

Thank you for reminding me that life isn’t measured by how closely we match the blueprint we were given, but by how fully we embrace the one that’s uniquely ours.

Here’s to many more years of growing, adapting, learning, and simply being exactly who we are. 🤍

Before anyone comes for me for choosing an ethical breeder instead of adopting, I wanted to share why I’ve made that decision.
I’ve had rescue dogs before. One of my current dogs is a rescue mix, and my heart dog was a rescued Standard Rat Terrier. Rescue dogs will always have a special place in my heart.
For my next Rat Terrier, though, I’ve decided to go through an ethical breeder for a few reasons.

1. Health and genetics.
My heart dog developed a long list of inherited health issues that made the end of his life incredibly difficult for both of us. I know there are never guarantees, any dog can become ill, but choosing a breeder who performs comprehensive health testing gives me the best chance of starting with a healthy puppy and reducing the risk of known hereditary conditions.

2. Standard Rat Terriers are uncommon in rescue.
I’ve looked, and finding a well-bred, full Standard Rat Terrier in rescue is incredibly rare. It’s not impossible, but it isn’t something I want to wait years hoping for.

3. I have specific goals for this dog.
I want to train them for barn hunt and scent work, activities they were bred to excel at. Starting with a puppy allows me to build those skills, confidence, and foundations from day one while getting to know the dog’s temperament from the beginning.

Everyone has different reasons for how they choose to bring a dog into their lives. This is the decision that feels right for me, and I’m excited to give this future puppy the very best life possible.

First photo was my heart dog, Motown, full standard Rat Terrier. Second photo is my half rattie, Phoenix.

Not sure how this works or how to gauge tallest. Anyone know?

What I imagine his tiny brain is thinking in this moment while he quietly tries to up his sister 😭

I love my 3 stooges

It’s been a little over a year and I cry almost daily missing her my beautiful Melecent.

What amazes me is, she just had her spay 4 days ago. It’s as if she’s not even fazed by it. My sweet cozy princess