Anthony Galli

I never believed in the concept of a “soul dog” until I became the aunt of a seven-point six-pound chihuahua-yorkie mix named Dobi. His legal name is Obi (short for Obsidian), but it’s only used when he’s being particularly stubborn. He first came into my life when my older sister adopted him nearly three years ago, and ever since then, my heart has been his.

It was always hard for me to understand how people let their pets sleep in their beds or bring muddy paw prints into the house because growing up my childhood pets were never allowed to do so. However, I instantly started to gain some insight when I first met Dobi, and was more than willing to do anything he wanted. Now that I’m moving into a pet-friendly apartment, this trend continues, because the main component I’m stressed about is whether or not Dobi will be happy there.

I truly believe that Dobi has given me more than I could ever hope to return to him. Chihuahuas have a bad reputation, but at their core, they are the most endlessly affectionate and loyal dogs. Knowing him has been a study in unconditional love and I am now just another crazy person who has dedicated photo albums for their dog and cries over the thought of them dying one day. Simply put, he’s my motivation to keep working hard and moving forward, if only so I can buy him any toy his little heart desires.