A Dog named McCoy

We just celebrated a pretty important birthday at our house.

This girl, who I’ve raised from a puppy, turned 16. She celebrated with a nap and lots of cuddles and, thankfully, being ignored by our cat, Felix.

McCoy entered my life when I was single and living alone, in my late 20s. I first met her when she was just a few weeks old, and she definitely chose me.

While her litter mates tousled and tumbled and sniffed, McCoy toddled over to me on her outsized paws. I remember she had the cutest little eyebrows, just a hint of brown over her eyes, hinting at her yorkie heritage. (She’s a yorkie-poodle mix.)

I couldn’t bring her home that day because she wasn’t quite old enough. So, like any expectant parent, I waited and prepped, buying all kinds of things for my new bundle — food, a collar, a leash, a bed, squeaky toys, outfits, puppy training pads and lots of other things from the pet store. I also pondered what I would name my new puppy.

I wanted a special name for my baby girl, but I was stumped.

Refusing to call her grand-dog, “Dog,” my mom took to calling her McCoy.

At the time, I was just building my McCoy pottery collection and might have been a tad obsessed. “You’re going to name your dog, McCoy,” my mom said. And she was right.

The name stuck, and when I brought her home on Labor Day weekend 1999, she was McCoy. Forever and always.

But if we’re being completely accurate, it was my Mom who named, McCoy, not me. Nanas will do that.

I was inspired to share the story behind McCoy’s name after seeing “Duck,” the new film from IAMS™. The film reveals the heartwarming story of how a dog got his name, the meaningful connections and stories we develop with our pets and how IAMS™ food plays in keeping dogs healthy and active throughout life with noticeably better nutrition.

Get out the tissues!

I couldn’t help but getting a little teary while watching this video.

It made me think of all the moments I’ve shared with McCoy through these past 16 years.

When it was just the two of us, she was the reason I rushed home in the evenings after work. I could always expect to find her at the door, barking and wagging her tail and ready to smother me with sweet doggie kisses.

McCoy always gave me her opinion on dates and new boyfriends, and she helped me through a heartbreak or two before Bruce and I met.

Now, we are a family. McCoy is no longer my dog; she is ours.

And we are hers.

She is definitely Jackson’s big sister.

When we first brought him home from the hospital, I think she was jealous of all the attention he was getting and demanding.

And when he was a baby, she didn’t want to have much to do with him, unless he had food. (We instituted a no-table-food policy a long time ago to keep McCoy healthy and strong. She only gets dog food, like IAMS™ ProActive Health™, which is formulated to enhance a dog’s health at every life stage.)

I think Jackson’s loud, grabby baby ways annoyed her.

But if he was in need and crying, McCoy was quick to let us know with a bark that we needed to be taking better care of her little brother.

Now, as McCoy is in her golden years. she and Jackson are great friends.

She loves being right by his side, and he always finds time to cuddle with the old lady and tell her how much he loves her.

McCoy is slowing down for sure. Don’t we all as we get older? And like all of us, she has lived through some bad hair and fashion choices!

But there’s still a lot of life and love left in this old girl and in our hearts for her. And she’s looking more stylish than ever in her senior years, don’t you think?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.