Surprise!
Last week I adopted the sweetest little pooch there ever was and I decided to name her Chickpea.
I've always been a dog person. I grew up with 3 dogs that I adored. However, these dogs were always living at my parents farm, which is pretty easy and happy way for a dog to grow up. 100 acres of freedom for the pooch = no picking up of poop! I hate picking up poop.
When I moved from home I lived in Montreal, then LA, and now have been happily settled in Toronto for the last 5 years. With all of the moving about, I knew a dog just wasn't a smart choice for me just yet.
Now that I work full-time from home (best job ever!), I felt it was finally the right time to have a pooch of my very own. At first I started looking for puppies... because who doesn't love puppies, but then I realized that I just couldn't get a puppy when I knew perfectly well there were too many dogs in shelters that needed homes very badly. I admit, I was a bit bummed about the idea of getting an older dog at first, I was worried the dog would come with issues and not bond to me in the same way I was used to.
So with a little hesitance, I started searching my local pet shelter, as well as adoptapet.com and finally petfinder.com and there she was. A medium-little dog who had a quirky look about her, and was described as 1 year old, sweet natured, loving and lovable, with a flair for attracting attention with her soft features and bushy tail.
You know how they say that dogs look like their owners... well I mean come on, she's white all over, with blonde highlights, and fabulous eyeliner. My heart melted.
I drove an hour to go visit her where I met Ann and Pete, a lovely couple that have been fostering dogs for over 30 years until the dogs are able to find permanent homes. After a chat with Ann and Pete I found out that they are veg too, woot!
I met Chickpea (she was called Jodi at the time). She was super nervous of me at first, but was so soft, quiet and she watched my every move with those big adorable eyes. I took her home that day. She hid in the back of my car, but stared up at me every time I looked back at her. Nervous, but she instantly seemed to trust me. It wasn't long before she was glued to my side.
I admit at first I was a little nervous about my impromptu decision. I just adopted a life that I would have to care for, and on top of that, she sheds as if she were trying to make me a rug. Seriously. But shedding and all I knew I had found myself a new best friend. I mean just look at that smile!
Adopting a dog it turned out, was the best decision ever. Chickpea came from northern Quebec, where apparently there are many stray dog that are often left neglected, abandoned, or abused. I really think dogs know that you rescued them. My worries about adopting a dog were completely gone. She had no issues, she just needed a loving home, and with that love came instant bonding. ♥
Chickpea is so insanely smart, she was house trained, learned her name, and how to sit in 2 days. Learned how to heel on the leash in 3, and learned how to lie down, not jump up, and is getting pretty good at peeing on command even! (I tell her "washroom" as "go pee" sounds a little too similar to Chickpea). She is so quiet I have yet to hear her bark, but she is so happy and excited about life it makes every day just so much fun. I swear I can just talk to her and she seems to understand me.
Snuggling is her absolute favourite. When I watch a movie, she snuggles into my side and looks back at me like this. It's impossible not to laugh every time. She's also taken to bopping me on the nose when she wants me to wake up in the morning, which I don't think is particularly funny...
Of course, as the vegan that I am, I was worried about feeding her animal based dog food. I was surprised, and thrilled that when I called 3 different local vets they were all totally supportive of a high-quality vegan diet for dogs.
Actually, I just got back from Chickpea's first vet visit, and the doctor recommended the vegan dog food for her anyways as she seems to suffer from a bit of allergies (part of the shedding problem), and he thinks the food will help. Very, very cool. So now I am transitioning her to a vegan diet, and let me tell you, she seems as thrilled about it as I am.
She has decided this is her favourite chair, and sits looking at me like this while I type away or cook, and every time I look at her, she wags her tail. Seriously, could you be more cute!?
Feeling sappy today.
Sam.
Srivani says
Congrats Sam and Chickpea for finding each other. I must say you both look adorable! Sam, your new best buddy is super cute. I know you will both enjoy each other immensely. Thanks for raising the point about vegan dog food. We have cats and a dog and all are on extremely high-quality, 100% Canadian food made in small batches for utmost freshness; however, they are meat based. I appreciate your response about cats being carnivorous, but that dogs are omnivores. I'm going to check out the two brands you reference. Happy puppy-love, Sam.
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Srivani!! I feel pretty lucky when I get to wake up and see those cute eyes looking at me. 🙂 Awesome! I hope your pooches enjoy the vegan dog food as much as Chickpea seems to be so far. She literally wags her tail the whole time she is eating. Haha!
Luci says
Chickpea is adorable glad you guys found each other. I feed my dog V-dog it's one of the best vegan food I've found. She also loves their V- breathe bones
Sam Turnbull says
Thanks so much Luci! I have heard great things about V-Dog, looking forward to trying it when it comes to Canada. 🙂
kathy Sturr says
Awwww! I lost my dog this winter and my heart still breaks. He died of lymphoma. Before that, my other dog died of a pancreatic tumor. Both very young 5-6 years. My heart is like (vegan) "hamburger." The only thing preventing me from getting another dog is what to feed as I feel the raw chicken we fed Stanley led to his tumor and well, Mojo ate everything from organic turkey and beef to boca burgers - we kept changing it up because of Stanley. So who knows there other than perhaps the Golden breed. I would very much like to have a furry compadre again - they are the best! - but I would need to feed him/her a vegan diet. It's great to hear your vet was on board with that! Congratulations on your furry friend. She seems so so sweet and I know you two make a great pair! Such a cute name, too.
Sam Turnbull says
Always so sad to loose our furry family members 🙁 Yeah, I was surprised at how every vet I called seemed totally on board! Made me very happy. So far Chickpea seems to be loving it as well. Thanks so much for the well wishes Kathy 🙂
Savita says
So proud of you doing this and for adopting a dog. My aunt in India gave her dog vegetarian food and there were no issues. Glad you are sticking to your guns with the pet food
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Savita! So far Chickpea seems to be really enjoying it, so I am thrilled 🙂
Joan Dillon says
I use Natural Balance vegan kibble I currently have 2 labs and 2 min pins. My two Jack rRussells lived to 15 and 16 years old on this food. I also had two labs live to 14 and 16 I feel it is a good quality kibble. I add fruits and veggies to it as well
Sam Turnbull says
Great to hear Joan! I have a sample of the Royal Canin brand that my vet gave me, but the Natural Balance is available at my pet store which seems a little more convenient so I was going to try that one as well. Glad to know it works for your pooches 🙂
Jemima Nissiyah says
Hi from India 🙂 I am so glad you adopted chickpea 🙂 very sweet of you ..God Bless you and Chickpea
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Jemima! Hello from Canada 🙂
Bethery says
She could NOT be more cute. She's pathologically cute. Are you sure you aren't just using her to manipulate us into total loyalty towards you and your blog?
Sam Turnbull says
Hahahahahaha!!!! Maybe..... haha 🙂
Debbie says
Awwww, Sam and Chickpea! You've rescued one another from any possible future dreary days! Congratulations to both of you on your expanding family. Chickpea...you've even got little chickpea goggles! You;ve got a face that will launch a million zillion kisses. XOXOX Debbie and Sierra
Sam Turnbull says
She does have Chickpea goggles!! Haha. I keep leaving pink lipstick marks on her head when I kiss her. Haha!!
Erin O'Brien says
What an adorable choice, Sam. Lucky Chickpea! Congratulations to you both!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Erin 🙂
Janet says
What brand dog food have you chosen? The store that offers it here (michigan) is horribly expensive.
Tricia Roderick says
Chickpea is so cute, what a sweetie! Dogs are the best!!! They rescue US!!! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
So true! Thank you Tricia 🙂
Leigh says
She is such a cutie!!! and I love her name 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you Leigh! 😀
Caron Tindale says
COngrats Sammie...enjoy your new baby! Xo Caron
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Caron!! She's the cutest. 🙂
Sandi says
What a sweet looking dog. I actually had never considered a vegan diet for my animals. I didn't even know there was such a thing. However I will look into it, as I have a cat (Squeak) and a dog (Willow) and would be super pleased if they were vegan. Thanks for the heads up and wishing you many happy years with Chickpea (really cute name)
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Sandi! From what I understand, as dogs are omnivores they can thrive on a plant based diet, but cats are obligate carnivores and cannot. That said, I am not a vet! I have found several different companies that sell vegan dog food and I am testing them all out on Chickpea to see what she likes best. So excited that my household can remain vegan!
Arlene Cohen says
Sammi, something else very interesting about her name. In the Movie 'Nell" Jodi Foster played the lead role. She was a mountain woods cabin girl who was left entirely on her own when her twin sister died. She had extremely limited language skills but would look in the mirror and say "Chick a pay" to her own image. It was the endearing nickname "Chickadee" that her mother had called her. So here is our Jodi who is now Chickpea. I l
just love it. Auntie Arlene
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha! What a coincidence! Love it. 🙂
Arlene Cohen says
I may not be able to resist calling her Chick-a-pay. I think she night like it. We'll see.
Nancy Nurse says
I love that you now have a Forever Home, Chickpea!!! You and your new Mommy are going to be very, very happy!! Sending lots of love to you both and especially to your Mommy for "going that extra mile to find you"!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww thanks Nancy!! She is the best little companion I could ask for 🙂
Kristi says
Congratulations Sam! Chickpea is adorable! Like you, we adopted a dog who was a year old because I knew puppies had a much better chance at finding a home. Probably the same reason we are suckers for black cats too. 🙂 Our sweet girl is almost 7 now, and absolutely one of our best decisions ever. I look forward to more Chickpea stories and pictures. She's a lucky girl!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh I love black cats too! So elegant. Thank you so much Kristi! So excited to share my life with her. 🙂
grace says
PRECIOUS! i'm a big proponent of adopting dogs and you found yourself quite a cutie!
Sam Turnbull says
Yeah, she's pretty cute all right... Once I look into adopting dogs, I just knew I couldn't go any other way 🙂
Brenda Reinhardt says
Like Albert above, I also feed my dog a raw meat diet. After loosing Scrappy, and knowing food is medicine for my own diet, and I only bought him the best dry food out there - or so I thought - him getting sick really shocked me. So for my newest addition, he is getting raw. I am not completely vegetarian myself, but do like to eat that way as much as possible. Saying that - have you thought of giving your dog bone broth??? A new company in Edmonton called "Bo & Marrow" are making bone broth for people but also have one for dogs. (www.BOANDMARROW.COM)
Yes, I have put my dog on this because in the wild, they would eat the bones of animals and to me, this is how he can get the bone benefits without eating the bones! (the bones they sell in pet shops just do not seem right to me..... I do not buy them.)
I think Chickpea is just a perfect fit for you. I am glad you went and got her, you both will be very happy together and the pictures are soooo cute!!! Thanks for sharing the new addition to your family with us!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Thank you so much Brenda!
I am going to try and raise Chickpea completely vegan if I can, if I have to make the food, I will do so, but since my vet recommended this brand of food to me, I am going to try the pre-made stuff for now and watch her health carefully. Thanks for the recommendations 🙂
Lizzie says
I love that you adopted a dog! AND they do know when they are rescued. I have had cats and dogs all my life, till recently (both have gone to puppy heaven, they had long (16 years and 18 years), love filled lives). It's weird not having a dog or cat around. I'm glad you adopted. You are right, there are too may out there that need loving homes. I'm not sure what end of town you are in, but if you need vet recommendations, the one we went to in Forest Hill was amazing!
Sam Turnbull says
Thanks so much Lizzie 🙂
Yeah, it felt pretty weird to me too when I first moved out of home. I had to get in the habit of actually picking up the food I dropped on the floor. Haha!