#1918 throwback Thursday: when Osi came to live with us

On August 1, 2009, this adorable little springer spaniel came into our lives. It had been a few months since our sweet little cocker spaniel, Henley, went to doggie heaven and I was finally feeling ready to get a new pet. I knew I wanted a dog that was a little bigger than a cocker spaniel, but not as big as a labrador. A guy at work had been telling me about a dog he'd had, a springer spaniel, that was the best dog he'd ever had. I did a little research and thought that if I could find a springer that wasn't too outrageously priced, I would get one.

I kept an eye on the local classified ads and finally found some springer puppies for sale that I could afford. I can't remember how much it was, but I'm pretty cheap so it couldn't have been too much. My parents were visiting at the time and I remember that my dad came with T and I to look at the puppies. There were two of them, a girl and a boy. The boy was very friendly and cute, but I really wanted a female dog. The girl was very shy but when she finally came around, she was sweet and so adorable. She came home with us that afternoon.

I decided to name her Osi after Osi Umenyiora, a football player for the New York Giants. I'd heard Umenyiora give an interview on the ESPN radio show "Mike and Mike" and he sounded like a good guy, plus he had a cool name.

Our little Osi really is the sweetest dog. She is a total pack dog - she is not an alpha female. She doesn't even bark. The few times I've heard her bark I didn't really know it was her at first. She will look with interest at other barking dogs, but she doesn't join in. She is submissive. When I take her to doggie daycare, she will stand quietly while all the other dogs sniff her but she doesn't show much interest in sniffing anyone back. She's a peaceful little soul.

For the past two or three years she has suffered from seizures. Her illness has changed her personality. She used to be very active and would run around the yard and loved to go for walks. Now, because of the anti-seizure meds she takes, she is lethargic and seems kind of scared to be out for a walk. She tucks her tail between her legs and sort of slinks around, pulling at the leash. She gets really excited when we are back at the car. She's also put on quite a bit of weight and doesn't jump up like she used to.

Still, she mostly seems happy, especially when she has a chewie bone (rawhide) or a cookie (Milk Bone biscuit). She also really REALLY loves the dried chicken treats I get for her at Trader Joe's. (Everyone in our house loves Trader Joe's!) She has a hard time jumping up on the bed and sometimes even the couch, but when I can get her up with me, she is the best snuggle friend.

I love my dog!