Designer, writer, activist, muse, bodhisattva.
› Vincenzo: World’s Cutest Dog Ever
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Warming hearts across the globe, one cold-nose kiss at a time.
Where it all began: January 15, 2000. Hoboken, New Jersey.
The time had come in my life where I was looking for something more than a casual fling or occasional date. I was meeting friends with dogs that just broke and melted my icy heart. The idea of having a best friend to go on walks and take to beaches & parks sounded like the way to go, not to mention keep me company and protect my house. It was time for this geek to open up his home & heart to a furry four-legged friend.
I will never, ever, support animal breeders since there are already so many unwanted animals in this world who need homes, to say nothing of my distaste for humankind to have the audacity of placing a monetary value on life. I went looking online for various pet adoption agencies and no-kill shelters to inquire about dogs, specifically labradors. A no-kill animal hospital in Hoboken, New Jersey answered my plea by responding with an offer to adopt a black labrador male puppy who could use a loving home. I made arrangements to vist the Hoboken animal hospital that same day.
I traveled from my Weehawken apartment to Hoboken (five minutes, plus another ten to find parking) to meet my prospective pet. A woman who worked at the animal hospital greeted and informed me that the black labrador puppy I came to see had already been adopted, but that I could meet his sisters who were downstairs. I followed the woman into the basement where volunteers and hospital staff were preparing cats & dogs from all walks of life for open adoption the following day. Cages were everywhere, and so many animals were waiting for loving homes. My heart was breaking, and if I could I would have adopted them all. But with an apartment in New Jersey and limited funds, one dog would have to do.
We walked into a room where two black labrador puppies are locked in a cage. At a few months, these two bitches were already big and they were about as friendly-looking as Cujo. Eyes bright, teeth showing and barking on high volume, I knew immediately that either one of these sisters would be like taking home Linda Blair. I looked at the woman assisting me who knew immediately by my face that this was just not going to work out. I asked to walk around the other cages before leaving, she of course said yes.
I walked into the other room and started scanning the cages. All these animals were waiting their turn for a little spit & polish before their big day tomorrow. I scanned the cages to see cats & dogs of all ages and all sizes, but not a one made a connection with me. Then I turned a corner and looked at the cage level with my chest.
That was the first time I saw him.
A head with these big, brown eyes looked up at me through the cage. I immediately fell in love with his face and even made a slight gasp. I knew this was it, he was the dog for me. I had no idea what the rest of him looked like or what condition he was in. It did not matter. I fell in love with his face and knew that he would be mine. I immediately found the woman who assisted me and told her about the cutest little dog that I just saw. She laughed and said that if I came by the next day that he would be placed aside and waiting for me. I made sure to go to bed early.
I arrived at the hospital the following day with one of my oldest friends. She & I walked into the hospital and saw him immediately to our left, held by a leash and attached to a railing. He was waiting for me, tail wagging and completely ignorant of my existence. He knew that behind me lay the outdoors and that was all he needed to know. My friend & I were allowed to walk him around the block to get a sense of his behavior and to make sure that I wanted to adopt him. We walked around the block with him, and I told my friend that I had to take him home. We both loved the way his little tail curled and how his ears flopped as he walked. His fur was reddish except for his behind, a bright white and showcasing his butt. He’s cute, he’s compact and by God he is going to be mine.
We walked back into the hospital and I told the staff that I wanted to adopt him. Now. The staff were thrilled and began the necessary paperwork. I asked what his name is and the staff said in enthusiastic unison “VINCENZO!”
Vincenzo? His name is Vincenzo?
I am told that Vincenzo is originally from Japan where a woman rescued him and his brother off the streets. Somehow, mirabile dictu, he was brought back to America and found a home in Hoboken. A woman previously adopted Vincenzo but had to return him when her boyfriend put his foot down and said no. Personally, if I was the woman I would have dumped the boyfriend before I would dump the dog, but their asinine actions were my windfall. Vincenzo is mine now, ain’t no turnin’ back.
Vincenzo was estimated to be around 2 years old when I adopted him. Vincenzo is a mutt, a cross between a Welsh Corgi and a Shiba Ainu (miniature Akita). He doesn’t bark and loves to preen his feet after walking. A strong alpha male who loves to sleep next to my side at night. Loves to chase squirrels, is great with kids, is not so great with other dogs or homeless people. Is an amazing judge of character, has yet to be wrong about anyone. Hates water. Loves his belly scratched. Follows me everywhere.
Since our first day together, I have called my special little guy Vincenzo, Vinnie, and Daddy’s Little Bitch. But it wasn’t until we met my friend Miss Devon that he became Bambino. He doesn’t mind.