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[#1]

She has been wanted for as long as I can remember. I grew up with dogs, and all of my adult life I’ve wanted one, but the time had never felt right. Then in 2014 when I was getting serious about “living the life I always imagined,” I decided that along with my cats, I wanted a dog. I couldn’t have dogs in my apartment, so I started looking for a house. I moved in to my new home last October, but I wanted to get my cats acclimated, so I was ready to wait a bit for the dog.

Finally at the end of June I went to the rescue spot and saw every single dog that was rated “cat friendly.” It came down to two.

One was Cleo (that was her name at the time) and the other was Cilantro. Both Cleo and Cilantro were adorable. Cleo was 1 ½ and had already lived in a home. Cilantro was 6 months old and all puppy… no training, just full on love bug, and a bundle of energy. I had some thinking to do. After thinking about it and praying about it, I decided I wanted Cleo.

Here she is on the car ride home. I was so giddy about getting a dog that I immediately started walking her through town… not a good idea!

Cleo got spooked by some flapping cloth and tried to take off. I held on to the leash and promptly hit the pavement.

My cats, meanwhile, were not happy. Bailey and Olivia have been indoor cats their entire lives, and have never come face to face with another creature. Cleo just scares the daylights out of them. After a gift of “poo” on my bed, I moved the cat box upstairs. Now I have a completely divided household. Cats upstairs, Cleo downstairs.

Now about that name...Cleo didn’t fit.

My dog is warm and soft and has an elegance and grace about her. I wanted a melodic name; one that I liked and that I felt represented her regal softness. So, with some help from Gabrielle Kerr and one of our make up experts, Russell, we started thinking of names. Gabrielle suggested Nahla from the Lion King, and I liked it. So, Nahla it is.

Nahla is a dream dog. She slept in a crate for the first few days, but when I tested her in a couple of open rooms, she was just lovely—no bathroom accidents, chomping on shoes, tearing paper, or creating a huge mess. She’s also not a big barker, so even when I get up to leave for work at crazy hours I don’t have to worry about her barking and waking the neighborhood.

She loves to go on walks, and she even dined al fresco one evening with my dad and me. She needs to get a bit better about sitting still while we’re eating, but she did pretty well on her first time.

My dad bought Nahla her first dog tag with her name on it.

I am trying to get the cats acclimated with quick trips down to see Nahla while they are wrapped in a towel in my arms (they still have their claws so it’s a tricky proposition).

My animals outnumber me, but I am hoping for a united household one of these days. Neither the cats nor the dog is going anywhere, so everyone better get used to it… lol

These days I am simply marveling at the fact that I’m a dog owner, and I am thrilled that I found the perfect dog… for me.

I would love to hear about your “perfect pets!” You can share here.

-Rachel