The Dog We Were Looking For
Sometimes the dog you’re searching for leads you to the life you were meant to live.
Life rarely gives us the dog we expect. It often gives us the one we need.
For thirteen years, Daisy, my second English Cocker Spaniel, was my best friend. She grew up with me through adolescence, moving, and many of life’s biggest milestones. When she passed away, she left a space that didn’t feel replaceable.
When I was ready for another dog, I was certain I wanted another red English Cocker Spaniel.
For nearly two years, I searched.
I was surprisingly picky: a red coat, no white markings, floppy ears, a short tail, and a happy personality. Finding one in the United States proved much harder than I ever imagined.
Then one day, during a routine appointment, my waxing lady asked me a simple question.
“Why are you looking for an English Cocker Spaniel?”
I described Daisy.
Red.
Floppy ears.
Short tail.
Always happy.
She smiled.
“That doesn’t sound like an English Cocker Spaniel. You just described my Vizsla.”
She offered to introduce me to her dog, Nellie.
I took her up on the offer.
What started as one visit quickly turned into something more. Before long, we were babysitting Nellie almost every Saturday. Beach days, hikes, long walks… somewhere along the way, we fell in love.
Not just with Nellie.
With the breed.
Growing up in Europe, I only knew Vizslas as hunting dogs. Owning one as a family pet had never crossed my mind.
Now we couldn’t imagine bringing anything else into our lives.
Finding one, however, turned out to be another adventure.
Breeder after breeder turned us down.
We were first-time Vizsla owners.
We lived in an apartment.
Eventually, we did exactly what many experienced dog people would probably advise against.
Looking back, knowing what I know today, I might have done things differently. But at the time, we simply wanted to find the right dog.
We found a breeder online in Indiana.
We placed a deposit on a litter and, because we paid a little extra, were allowed to choose our puppy.
I’ll never forget what I told the breeder.
“I’d like the puppy with the least hunting drive.”
Looking back, it might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever said.
If you know Kira today, you’ll understand why.
But that’s a story for another time.