Today: Happy Clarkiversary.

[tweetmeme source=”elizabethev” only_single=false] A long time ago, in a land far, far away (okay, fine– it was Brookline and the year was 2009), a little six-month-old tiger brindle sat by the front door alongside assorted other French bulldogs, at the home of a reputable dentist breeder (if you’re looking for a Frenchie– or an inside peek at the world of show dog breeders– please let me know.  I’ll give you the full scoop and a good laugh).

Though he came from a (dog) family of champions and showed great promise, Napoleon, as he was then called (and tattooed… yes, really), also showed signs of being a gigantic blob of wrinkles and would likely exceed the AKC weight maximum.  We like to think we rescued Clark from a life of body consciousness, but that’s probably overstating the situation.  Whatevs.  Nick and I fell in love with him, went to Petco and bought all kinds of dog stuff, returned to the breeder an hour later, loaded him in the car and headed home.

I had never had a non-hamster pet and frankly, I had no clue what I was doing with a dog.  Would he try and press buttons on the car stereo?  Would he fall out the window, or somehow get stuck in the trunk?  Would he, you know, pee or something?  Much to my shock and awe, he slept the whole way to Southie in Nick’s lap, snoring like an old man.  That was exactly one year ago today.  Oh, how life has changed!  The snoring, not so much.

I’m still not exactly a dog whisperer, but if I had to guess, I’d say Clark loves his new name, he loves his new neighborhood, and he loves really just about everyone and everything.  Especially if he/she/it is peanut butter flavored.

Will you humor me if I share a few photos of the little guy?  You know, in addition to the 90,000 that are already out and about on On Tap for Today?

Clark's first night in South Boston
Thanks for neutering me, guys. Now I have stress-induced colitis. Not to mention, two of my parts have gone missing.
Just checking for missing socks.
His ears are almost as big as my nose!
What are yoooou lookin' at?
I've had a long night of flying Santa around.
Speaking of Santa...
This stuff is amaaaazing!
I think Clark has a crush on Martha Stewart's Frenchies. Either that, or he learned how to read.
Playing at the beach with Quinn
I am freaking out, man!
The cone of shame
Clark, the Easter Frenchie
An early Spring swim at Castle Island
Check out my tuxedo.
I'm, like, a year old. Deal with it.
This green stuff is just as amazing as that snow stuff!
Hanging out in the South End
Make way for Clarklings!
Is it me, or does Clark look younger? Is he the Benjamin Button of the canine community? And not to worry-- those are Nick's arms, not mine.
Yo! I'm on vacation!
Yo! I'm on an old truck!
I've got more costumes than that lady, Lady Gaga.

It’s been an incredible year, and we’re lucky to have our little monster to share it with.  Woof.

Also On Tap for Today:

What was your first pet?  And no, this is not a trick question to steal your Gmail password.

Comments (13)

  • Nick (Clarks’ Dad)

    October 19, 2010 at 9:40 am

    What a great post! I just love this little guy so much. Growing up I always had pets but this dog is just amazing. I couldn’t of hoped for a better life than I have with the two of you.

    – Love Nick

  • Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty

    October 19, 2010 at 10:17 am

    First off.. AWWWWWWWWWWWWW to Nick!! 🙂

    Happy Birthday Clark!!!

    He is so cute, I am totally sending this post to Dave to further convince him we need one!

    Has he ever been around big dogs before? If so, what’s he like?

  • Emily

    October 19, 2010 at 7:30 pm

    OK, so first of all your boyfriend is adorable. And second of all, this is the most hilarious post. I was sitting at my computer practically crying over your captions and photos. My husband thought I was crazy until I made him read it. Anyway, we are clearly ridic dog people but Clark is so cute. I’m glad he has such a happy peanut butter-filled life!

    1. Elizabeth

      October 20, 2010 at 3:01 pm

      Hahahahaha. Thank you!!! 🙂

  • Michelle

    October 20, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Clark is too cute!!! I love Frenchies!

    I’ve always had dogs but my first pet that I had totally on my own was a Leopard Gecko. I got him in college and STILL have him… they live to be 20 years old! I didn’t know that when I got him, oops! I have two cats too. And am hoping for a dog soon…

  • Naomi(onefitfoodie)

    October 20, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    OMG sooo cute!! does he play with kevin hahahahaha

  • Kristy

    October 20, 2010 at 8:37 pm

    How cute!!! I love the picture with the ducks, too funny! 🙂

  • Lauren

    October 24, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Happy Clarkiversary!! Oh my gosh, your little guy is so stinkin’ cute! And those are some pretty awesome photos you have of him. 🙂

  • Today: I (mexi)can’t believe my eyes! «

    December 1, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    […] date, and all I could think of was Clark’s birthday (weird, I know).  It turns out Clark‘s animal spirit is a dog.  The accuracy is […]

  • Today: Sting rays and lucha libre. «

    December 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    […] but they were just so cute (and clearly, as you can tell from the photo above, we were missing Clark).  Earlier in the day, however, I collected the coolest thing of all: an authentic luchador mask. […]

  • Today: OMG! Baby hippos! «

    January 26, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    […] like they’re made out of Crayola Model Magic.  And that they bear a slight resemblance to my dog.  I think it’s the ears.  Did you know that more people are killed by hippopotamuses than […]

  • Today: While I’m 29 (and superfine). «

    March 8, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    […] with and title Clark (in pet therapy, […]

  • Today: Running in secret. «

    April 10, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    […] ready for Clark‘s […]

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