I'm in love.

I've never been a pet-lover. Actually, I'm petrified of all kinds of animals. But I wasn't this loony back then. I remember how I used to pick up stray kittens whenever I'd see one. My mom found it ghastly but she let me be (one of the perks of being an only child -- then). I also, always asked her to buy me those little chicks or ducks sold outside Sto. Domingo whenever we'd go to church or when I'd get picked up from school at St. Mary's. I'd let those little feathered cuties run around the house while the nanny tried to scramble away from them. All I remember is that they wouldn't live long enough to grow their beaks. Heheheh.. I thought then that they really only lived for a week without their parents. Those were the days.

Anyway, I can't really tell for sure when or how or what made me very scared of animals. I've never been bitten or hurt by one. I know the feeling I get somewhere in my throat when I'm around hairy ones, or how gross and monstrous the reptiles look and how slimy and eekie the amphibians seem to the touch. Last Friday though, when we arrived at the salon, I knew it wasn't going to be a fun visit. There was a dog at the entrance.
A Shi Tzu named Coco.

I guess they really smell fear because when we walked towards the shampoo station, so did he. Guess where he sat his little bum? By the foot of the empty seat at the shampooing area. Hateful dog. He just sat there, watching. By the time the main man (Gian Carlo) came out to do his job, I was already seated in front of the huge mirror. The dog came over to his master (GC). Very chic dog with a collar that was "eternally" rhinestoned. Cuteness! Gian Carlo started petting him and I told him I was scared of pets. The dog had really kind eyes and had a disinterested demeanor, except for the fact that he walked to where I was all the time. I tried petting him while GC did. He had really soft hair and he didn't mind me doing so. He was so calm, something most dogs are not blessed with. At least those that I encounter. I just realized I was sitting next to him, rubbing his belly. After a while, he stood up and walked away. The little brat. GC was so amused because I walked around the salon trying to get Coco to stay so I could pet him some more. He did, at his favorite spot, the entrance hall. I again sat there with him and played with his hair. John was on his way but I called him to make sure he would see me with Coco. It's one of his missions to get me to liking pets, dogs specifically. He didn't have to lose a limb on this one. Coco had me wrapped around his hairy paws, and he was enjoying it. Heheheh..

When he got up again and this time, found GC's wife (Coco's adoptive mommy), I had to respect the space he needed. HAHAHAH! Can you believe I'm saying this? I'm giving a dog his space! Loony old me. By the time we were done, Coco was asleep, snuggled by Sharon, GC's wife. I wanted to kiss him goodbye. I kid you not. I actually almost did, all I know is that I'm smitten with Coco.

I will get a shi tzu.