I knew I wanted an old, tiny dog who had some miles on him. I needed him to fit into my life well and to travel with me so I could take care of him the way he deserved. I went to Austin Animal Center to peruse the aisle of tiny dogs, just to look and maybe walk a few. When I saw the cutest senior chi-mix named Norbert, I melted. I fell completely in love, and I knew right away that he and I were meant to be.

When I asked to take him out, he jumped into my arms, and off we went. And when it was time to put him back, he didn’t want to go. I had only come to look, just to the idea of adopting my first dog—not to actually pull the trigger. But it hurt so bad to leave him there, scared and confused. I went to bed that night knowing I was going to return the very next morning to make Norbert mine. And that’s what I did.

Norbert has brought so much joy to my life. He’s the perfect little gentleman, and he’s provided companionship to my adopted tortoise-shell cat, Zula. (She likes him more than he likes her, but she respects that.)

Having only been in my life for a little over a year, Norbert has traveled all over the country with me, from California and Oregon to my home sweet home of Kentucky. He’s seen the desert, mountains, and several beaches, and he’s stayed in hotels that have provided him with his very own bed! To think about what his life was like as a bone-thin stray compared to how loved and spoiled he is now nearly makes my heart explode. He deserves all the love in the world, and I’m so lucky to be able to give him that in his golden years.