Okay, these Rescue Confessions are a hit! It’s fun for everyone to relate (commiserate?) with one another over stories. I think the coolest part is the community it’s creating. People are commenting and following one another and connecting, it’s fun to see happen. Last week’s pup was Pippen and she’s a hard act to follow. Luckily, I’ve got someone prettttty cool for you.
Today’s Rescue Confessions star is my friend Watson. Watson was one of my first followers and we’ve been keeping up with each other ever since. Him and his human Michelle have an amazingly colorful Instagam of cool spots around Los Angeles. He’s the kind of dog that changes your opinion of what a rescue dog looks like, and I’m sure glad we’re friends.
Let’s learn a bit more about him, shall we??
Michelle’s Turn
Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??
Watson, aka Watty, Watty Bear, Muffin, Blueberry Muffin, Blueberry, Gremlin, Fluffbutt. He’s 5 ½, or so we assume since he’s a rescue. I did a DNA test and he’s mostly Bichon / Maltese mix with a sliver of Havanese.
Where did you two first meet?
Back in 2013, I was working on creating the new Toyota.com at Saatchi LA (the current live site is the one we designed!), and we were working nights and weekends nonstop. One fateful weekend in January, 3 designers and I were driving to Whole Foods when we saw a super cute white fluffy dog out the car window. I expressed my obsession with small white fluffy dogs and one of my coworkers replied “funny enough, my mom is currently fostering a dog that looks exactly like that dog! He needs a home.”
I told her I’d meet him once we launched and try out fostering for a week or two, but the second I met Watson I knew he was mine.
Why did you decide to pursue adoption?
Watson kind of fell in my lap, but I was pretty sure I’d want to adopt regardless just due to the overwhelming amount available in the LA area. I didn’t have a particular breed in mind – just small and fluffy – so seemed like a good route for me J. Now of course I think I would look at a Bichon rescue, because I’m obsessed with this breed!
How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?
Watson does this thing where he legitimately hugs you – he pushes his head into your neck and squeezes your back – and he did that the first minute we met! Who can resist that face + that personality?! The whole first day he followed me around like my shadow, and I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan (the books AND the show), so Watson seemed like a natural fit for his name. He still follows me around like my shadow to this day and he still prefers to sit on my hip like a baby in order to give the best hugs.
What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?
Definitely do your research first and make sure you’re financially and emotionally stable enough to have a dog. They need love and attention and practice, not to sit in a cage at home all day or be an accessory. It’s really helpful to have a support system too; while I could raise Watson on my own, it’s much easier to have my boyfriend help me, and our close friends who always want to watch him when we go out of town!
Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?
Make sure to check out all our wall hunting adventures at https://www.watsonandwalls.com/
Watson’s Turn
Favorite toy:
Bully sticks 10000%
Most impressive trick:
Duh, posing at walls! I’m pretty perfect at it, mom often gets it one shot with me.
Least impressive trick:
We’ve been working on high-five for literally 5 months and I just don’t feel like doing it well…
I will do anything for:
Bully sticks! Or a mini tennis ball.
Squirrels or tennis balls:
Ooh, tough call…probably tennis ball!
Catnip or laser pointer:
Laser pointer!
My favorite place:
Underneath the coffee table on the living room rug! It’s my own personal man cave.
It drives my mother the craziest when…
I get my “beard” all wet drinking water and then IMMEDIATELY come lick them! Or the incessant squeaking of “Mr. Lion” right before bed.
Like to dress up? (Prove it!):
I rock a bandana all day, but do not put me in a hood!
There you have it. Make sure to follow along with all of Watson’s adventures on Instagram and website and check back here next Friday for more fun!
xoxo,
Christine
