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| Name: |
Fizz
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Age: |
Seven years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Pomeranian |
| Home: |
North Carolina, USA |
I
met Fizz when I was only ten years old, and he was just twelve weeks old.
His previous owner irresponsibly bought him as a gift from a pet store,
and his rambunctiousness caused their existing dog to stress out to the
point of not eating or sleeping. Through no fault of his own, Fizz ended
up in a New Jersey rescue group at only twelve weeks old. Ironically, though
my family lives in North Carolina, we were visiting family in New Jersey
that week, and a family member who is active in rescue contacted us and
told us about an adorable Pomeranian puppy who was in rescue. We rushed to
the facility, immediately fell in love, and before I knew it Fizz
(previously named Leo, I renamed him due to his resemblance to the fizz on
top of ginger ale) was my new puppy.
Though I was only ten, I was extremely involved with dogs, and had been
begging for one since I could speak. My parents knew I was prepared for a
pet even though many elementary-aged children aren't. I worked with my mom
(a dog trainer) often, followed her to every dog trial she competed in,
wanted to be a veterinarian, played and trained our three dogs (and foster
dogs, which frequented our home) tirelessly, and had previously owned a
rescue guinea pig. Though I'm sure my parents were not expecting to give
me a dog as early as ten, the instant connection between the wiggling
little Pomeranian and I was undeniable, and as quickly as we could sign
the papers, he was mine.
Fizz is what my family has deemed a "mega-Pomeranian." He is about ten
pounds, and he is positively unaware that he is supposed to be a lap dog.
He loves fetch to an almost unhealthy level (as in, he will literally
fetch until a heat stroke or luxating patella forces him to stop), loves
to swim, and is fantastic at dog agility. At his first dog trial, he got
first places in every event, and together we have earned numerous titles,
up to our Master Agility title, and are still working towards our Master
Agility Championship title. He is one of only a handful of Pomeranians in
the country who competes in agility, and everyone says it is a joy to
watch his smiley, fluffy self run.
Despite the fact that he is an athlete and loves being active, Fizz is
also the first one to crash on the couch to an episode (or five) of the
Real Housewives, or watch NASCAR with my dad (as a matter of fact, the
only one in our household of all women that will watch NASCAR with my
dad). Humorously, he is the last one to wake up in the morning and drag
himself out the doggy door, sometimes requiring me to literally find him
and carry him down the stairs, just like a lazy teenager. He loves food,
and you can't believe how fast he'll go through the weave poles for string
cheese until you see it. Fizz is happy, goofy, energetic, even-tempered
and intelligent, and brings a smile to the faces of everyone he meets.
Part of what makes Fizz so special to me is our unique and close bond. We,
quite literally, grew up together. As a child we taught each other
patience and self-control, and he showed me the value of responsibility
and perseverance. As I moved into my preteen years he continued to be my
best friend, without judgment, through the mood swings, blasting music,
and the laughable outfits (the ones I stuffed him into as well as my own),
and never held a grudge when hanging out with my friends came before
fetching. In high school he served as a constant listening ear, a
comforter, and the most perfect example of unconditional love. No matter
how late I came home from work, no matter how many times I screwed up, no
matter what I got on my Biology test and no matter how many times he must
have felt he was second place in my life, I remained first place in his.
Since my mom and I traveled together to compete in agility trials, we
remained extremely close even through the years when many children and
their parents grow distant.
Even though Fizz is a "rescue," I don't see it as a humanitarian act. He
was a blessing and a gift, he has given so much to me and my family, and I
cannot imagine life without him. This year is my first year in college,
away from my best friend. I think about him every day, and joke with my
family that the only reason I ever visit is just to see Fizz. We still
compete together, and have continued to qualify and earn placements
together even with limited practice. As an aspiring veterinarian, I stay
dedicated to my studies every day, but never hesitate to pull up my
pictures of Fizz and show them to everyone I meet, or if I need a
pick-me-up in the middle of a grueling day. Framed photos of him take up
almost my entire bookshelf space in my cubicle of a dorm room, but they
serve as a constant reminder that one day I will be with my best friend
again, playing fetch and running agility courses, and we can keep living
and learning and laughing and growing together.
See more images of Fizz!
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