It’s a (furry) love story
They pick you. Somehow they just know you are the one. No fuss, no great big debate. Just a furry tongue licking your face to let you know, it’s you. You’re the one.
If you have watched the animal videos on various channels you have probably seen the dogs waiting to be adopted, who pick their new owner. The dog looks up at their new human with pure love and that’s it, decision made.
That is how it was when I met Marvin.
I thought I was going to meet a 5 year old French Bulldog/Chihuahua cross (boggles the mind how that happened) but when I walked into the room there was a small, skinny, multi-coloured French Bulldog puppy. Clearly not the dog I was expecting to meet. So there had been a mix up somewhere.
I was informed that this was Marvin, he had been wandering the streets and had been brought to the charity by the Animal Warden and he was with a human foster mum. I was also told that he was terrified of everything. They thought Marvin was about one, but with no chip information, his date of birth was not known.
Whilst all this conversation was taking place, I had sat on the floor and as I was about to say this dog is not for me, Marvin came over, sat on my lap and took some treats from my hand. He then got bolder and put his nose straight into my jacket pocket where the treats were and helped himself. Then he climbed up on me and covered my face in doggy kisses. This was the point when the the person from the charity left the room. When she returned she had the adoption papers in her hand. Before I knew it, I was kneeling on the floor and resting on a chair to sign the papers. To make sure I did sign, Marvin came over, put his front paws up on the chair and watched as I completed the documents.
I reflect on it now and realise that it was not my choice. The decision, had been made for me. The Universe had worked her magic and brought about the conditions to bring Marvin and I together.
Marvin had a lot of behavioural issues and needed lots of love and attention – he still does. It has been exhausting and yes, there were at least two occasions where I seriously thought I couldn’t handle him and I was ready to take him back. But that felt like I was letting him down.
Despite being terrified of everything, he was equally as curious. From day one, I took him out and for a while we just stood at the end of the drive. Before long, Marvin was going further away from the house and after only a few weeks, he went to the end of the road, looked both ways and just carried on. So I let him take the lead (awful pun, couldn’t help myself) about where he wanted to go. When he hit the main road for the first time, it was too much for him . He was laying on the ground, shaking and crying. I picked him up, cuddled him and carried him home. This was all part of learning to understand Marvin. What I have learnt is that when we get to an opening, such as a crossroads, or we pass an alley, he has to stop, assess the situation and then if he thinks everything is ok, he will carry on. If there is something he is unsure about it, he just won’t move. He sits or lies down and nothing can budge him, not even a treat.
Two years on, for it is our second anniversary on 31st January 2026, Marvin has done amazingly well. He loves being out and about, he loves walking in pack with a few others dogs. He is still a bit unsure about the sea and he can still lie on the ground and shake when there is something he isn’t sure about.
I will be honest, it wasn’t love at first sight for me. Marvin did tug at my heart strings when I met. His story of a difficult start in life wandering the streets touched me and he is super cute. But I very quickly fell in love with this little furry bundle of contradictory behaviour. I believe that Marvin and I were meant to be together, so that I could help him cope with the world and he.. Well he has continued my healing journey. One of unconditional love, patience and a great big reminder of not to care what other people think. Because when you have a seriously overreactive dog, trust me, people aren’t judging the dog, they are judging you. And although I am a human and he is a dog, I completely understand how he feels about the outside world. I understand his need to feel secure, to assess a situation, to protect me and himself. I have lived my life like that too.
I love and adore Marvin for what he is, all his quirks, fears and insecurities, because he is also loving, funny and great company. He is what he is. And that sums up for me what love is – accepting the other for how they are, quirks and all, completely and unconditionally.
Marvin loves to sleep in my arms.