As the month of October approaches, I thought it only appropriate to finally dedicate a piece of writing to my furry companion, Kiki. Or Smushy, Kikers, Shnooodles, Lalalou, and any other odd configuration I've come up over the past 4 years. Kiki's birthday is October 4th, so I want to make sure to give her a special shoutout this year. Last year, it was early November when I woke up one day and was like "Wait, did we celebrate my dog's birthday?"

I frantically wrote in the family group chat. My sister chimed in with an "omg what when is it" to which my father gave the "it happened. I threw her a party with the neighborhood dogs." So first off, my dog's birthday was this like national holiday and neither my mom nor dad let me and my sister know. We are Millennials busy with school. Ok, we have an excuse.

I know what you are all thinking. I do not want to hear it. Part of my heart is broken forever knowing I forgot my dogs birthday. Not proud. At all.

When I called my mother that same day, she was not having it. She literally was waiting for me and my sister to realize we forgot to then give us attitude for it. We literally were shunned by our parents for WAY too long because of this.

Let's just say Kiki is the favorite in the family. Undoubtedly. She is the princess. My mother, who grew up with a dog, was anti-dogs my entire life. I straight up had a dog walking business from 3rd grade to 6th grade walking the neighborhood dogs. This was my attempt to prove to my mother that I would be responsible for a dog. It did not work. I begged for so many years until I finally gave up mid-middle school era.

Kiki came to us in a rather fast manner. My freshman year of high school, a friend of mine originally bought Kiki. Kiki was purchased in one of those boutique dog stores with the two-pound puppies in the little glass boxes. Yes, those are now illegal and no longer exist. My friend developed allergies within two weeks of having Kiki. Kiki might be a princess, but she is for sure a mutt. Her family sent out a Facebook post in hopes of finding a new loving family and home for her. My uncle originally saw the post and then forwarded it to me. I proceeded to send and harass my parents until they finally agreed to just go see the dog. LOVE. AT. FIRST. SIGHT. Well everyone but my mom. She liked Kiki at first. Not Love.

It was a Wednesday night when my parents called me and my sister into their room. We had just come back from seeing the dog and decided we wanted to take the night to decide. Well, my parents did. My sister and I were obsessed. We needed Kiki. My parents briefed us with the its our responsibility and walking her and blah blah blah. Ultimately though, they wanted her too. Just had to seem all parental.

Thursday, Kiki was Adler-homebound.

After one night with little Kiki in the house, everyone was not only happier but nicer too. We all just loved this little three-pound puppy way too much. Even today, five years later and 15 pounds heavier, we all still feel the same way.

I guess I always knew that a dog could make almost anything better, but I never truly saw it until Kiki was around. She's always there when I need her. She's also the worlds best cuddler. Seriously the best.

So with her birthday right around the corner, I wanted to take some time to appreciate my fav little pooch.

She makes home, home.