a year ago today i went to the spca and got myself a four-year-old chihuahua. she was bewildered and terrified and filthy, and she didn’t seem to like me very much. here’s the first photo i ever took of her.

and here’s a photo i took of her last night. she’s not usually wearing clothes, and the wink was purely accidental, but i still think it’s a good representation.

she looks better, doesn’t she? she’s (mostly) clean, her coat is all soft and shiny, and above all, she’s happier. everyone who has known her over the past year remarks on how much her behavior’s improved. she prances around with her tail up most of the time, and she (almost) never shrinks down into herself when she meets new people anymore.

the first week she was here, it felt strange to have another living thing around. i wondered if i’d get used to maude being there, if i’d ever stop feeling like i wasn’t alone in my apartment because of a tiny dog. a year later, i don’t know what i’d do without her.

happy anniversary, maude.