The Unlikely Encounter That Changed My Life: How I Fell in Love with My French Bulldog

I still remember the day I met my French Bulldog like it was yesterday. My husband had been visiting his parents in another city, and he stumbled upon her tied up in their garage. Apparently, she had been there for almost three days, and no one had claimed her. She was pretty stressed out and wouldn't let anyone near her.How Our French Bulldog Joined Our FamilyWe managed to get her to eat, and eventually, we were able to untie her. We posted about her on social media, but no one came forward to claim her. It was probably a deliberate act.As the weather started getting colder in late October, we couldn't bear the thought of leaving her outside, so we decided to keep her. And that's how she ended up living with us - five years ago.We didn't exactly choose her, her breed, or her color. As they say, 'when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'Our First Vet VisitOur First Vet VisitAt the time, we had two kids and were expecting a third. We were worried about introducing her to the kids, our cat, and the rest of the household. So, we took her to the vet. Here's the first photo of our new addition. I was in for a surprise when we first got her home. 1. Bad blood work, low hemoglobin. But it was pretty clear from her appearance that she was underweight. I mean, all her bones were sticking out, and she'd been hungry and cold for a few days. No big deal, we'd fix that.2. A tick. I thought it was some kind of wart or mole at first, but when I turned on the light, I saw it was a big, engorged tick. They removed it and told us to keep an eye on her.3. She was leaking. Not a surprise, not a shock. Maybe that's why she was on the streets in the first place. I was in a bit of a panic, to be honest, because I'd never dealt with a dog with a leak like that before.My vet said she was about a year old and this was her first time with this issue.Armed with medications for all the possible problems (internal and external parasites), vitamins, and dietary recommendations, we headed home. We bathed the dog, fed her, gave her meds, and started introducing her to the family, kids, and cat. We even put diapers on her to keep everything clean.Just look at this sad face. It's like she's perpetually disappointed. You can't help but feel sorry for her. Her expression is like a master manipulatorThis little girl's been living with us, and it's clear she's had a tough life.FOOD, WALKS, GROOMING, ALLERGIESWhen we started feeding her dry food, it was a disaster. She was having accidents up to 7 times a day, which was just unrealistic with our work schedules. I knew it was a bad idea to get a dog like this, but this was just the icing on the cake.With two kids, a cat, work, and a pregnancy on top of that, I was already at my wit's end. But I refused to give up. I switched her to homemade food, and at first, everything seemed great. But then she started itching, scooting around, and chewing on her belly. Great, a food allergy. Her ears would get red, and she'd develop scabs on her belly. By the way, I still haven't told you her name is Tosey. But if Tosey has an accident, she's instantly renamed to Antonina. She's even learned to recognize the sound of me yelling, 'Antonina-a!' - it means she's done something wrong. She'll immediately look guilty and try to make amends with her puppy dog eyes.

When it comes to my pup's allergies, I've learned a thing or two. We've been to the vet more times than I can count, trying to figure out what's behind her itchy skin. It wasn't until we started experimenting with different foods that we finally pinpointed the culprits: no rice, no specialty dog treats, and definitely no people food.I've been trying to stick to the vet-recommended diet, but let's just say she's a bottomless pit. I mix in some rice to make it more palatable, and occasionally cook up some ground beef. The vet's always happy to examine her and give us the thumbs up, as long as we're feeding her this way. And the best part? No more accidents outside!But stray from this diet even a little, and she breaks out in hives and starts shedding like crazy. And let me tell you, her short coat is no joke. It's like she's got tiny little needles stuck in my skin. I have to use a pair of tweezers or a needle to get them out, all while trying not to pluck out the entire hair follicle. Trust me, it's a real ordeal.When it comes to walks, this dog is perfect for me. In the winter, she's out for exactly 30 seconds. She dashes out, runs to her potty spot, does her business, and zooms back home. I'm a bit of a cold-weather wimp myself, so I don't have any issues with her. And in the summer, we have a blast. She loves going to the dacha, lounging in the sun, and rolling around in the grass - it's her thing. She loves summer, and I do too.Of course, we visit the vet pretty regularly. I get her dewormed, buy flea collars and shampoos, and give her all the TLC I can. I even give her vitamins and use special ear drops. It's not cheap, and it's a lot of work, so keep that in mind. It's always something - diarrhea or scurvy. If I skip her feeding schedule for even a little while, she'll start vomiting bile. The vet just shrugged it off and said it's a personal quirk - stick to the schedule. Sometimes it feels like taking care of her is harder than raising my three kids.This dog loves to lounge around. It's actually pretty adorable to watch.Food - her weak spot, no matter how much you feed her. She's always starving and looks at you like she's about to die if she doesn't get food right away. I get mad if someone gives Tosa food from the table during our meals. But she still sits there with her mouth half-open and sad eyes, hoping that someone will pass the fork by her mouth. By the way, at the dacha she loves stealing raspberries right from the bushes. She sits under the raspberry bush and eats the fruit without any shame. She also eats strawberries. I think she's stopped doing that now, not because of the winter, but because she's gotten smarter, or just doesn't feel like it.Of course, she's got her vaccination passport and we make sure to get her all the necessary shots according to the vet's recommendations. Check her out, happy as can be, heading off to her appointment without a clue what's in store for her. But here she is, looking all upset and offended on her way back.xa0If we're late getting her out for a walk or we're running behind schedule and she's too exhausted to put up with it, she might just decide to make a mess on the bathroom tiles. It's not a regular thing, just when she's had enough and can't take it anymore. I don't scold her for it, I just say, 'Antonina, that's not okay.' She knows she's done something wrong, feels a bit guilty, but she can't take it anymore, poor thing.Check out this little mess-maker with a dirty nose - she had a successful meal, I guess.She loves going for walks - and by 'loves,' I mean she's a force to be reckoned with. She's off like a shot, like she's running late for a flight. I've tried to get her to calm down, but it's not exactly working out. Especially in the winter, her goal is to get from point A to point B, do her business, and get back to the entrance in under 30 seconds. And I'm right behind her, chasing after her on the leash, freezing my butt off. Our bulldog gets so cold, I end up buying her clothes. This year, I even got her some boots. To be honest, it's like it's sucking up everything on the street. I'm getting really annoyed with it. It's like it's not getting enough food or something. Leaking. Okay, I take full responsibility for not sterilizing it on time. It leaks blood twice a year, for at least a month each time. I don't know if this is normal for all bulldogs, but it's like it's hemorrhaging. I'm not even kidding, it's a total nightmare trying to clean up after it. And don't even get me started on the incontinence issues - it's like it's driving me crazy. I'm already planning to take it to the vet for sterilization, and I'm hoping that'll solve the problem. It's also got a weird new habit - when we leave the room, it goes and makes itself comfortable on our bed, pushing the blankets off the pillows and lying down like it owns the place. I'm trying to break her of this habit, but it's not easy. I swear, it's like it's trying to assert its dominance or something. Even when I scold it, it just gives me this innocent look like it's not doing anything wrong.Bulldogs are stubborn and feisty, and our Tosa is no exception. She's got a strong personality and isn't afraid to show it. In fact, she's a bit of a diva and can get pretty upset if she doesn't get her way. I've seen her go ballistic when she sees our neighbor, and the only thing that calms her down is if we quickly get her out of sight. She's also not a fan of drunk people, and the barking can get pretty intense. And if someone's at the door, she's the first one to alert us, especially if it's a delivery person from a scooter. She's like our own personal alarm system!She's a social butterfly and loves being with us wherever we go. If we leave the house for a few hours on the weekends without her, she gets pretty upset. It's like she's saying, 'Hey, I'm part of the pack, and I want to be with you guys!' So, we try to take her with us as much as possible.Yes, bulldogs snore and fart, and it's not exactly the most pleasant thing to deal with. But if you can get past the, ahem, 'fragrance' and the snoring, you'll find that it's just part of their charm. And hey, it's not like we're going to win any awards for 'most discreet pet owner' anyway. So, we just roll with it and make sure to keep the air fresh with some good old-fashioned air fresheners.At first, she was a handful. She'd eat anything, knock over trash, and all that. But over time, that behavior stopped. She learned to behave. I even caught her eating a gift from my trip to Kaliningrad - a bunch of marzipan. I was pretty bummed out about that.Let's face it - our dog leaves a smell. Even with regular baths, I can still smell it. It's not as bad as a stray dog, but it's still there.xa0RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CATIt just so happened that during our dog's stay with us, we had two cats. The first one, Pusinka, lived for a few years before our dog arrived. She was not thrilled about the new roommate. Our dog, Tocha, would just walk by and get swatted at. There was even one instance where she pulled out the cat's claw from her nose after a fight.I have to admit, it was a bit of a challenge for Tosa to adjust to having a new furry friend in the house. But then, something unexpected happened - our cat got sick and passed away. I was still grieving, and about six months later, a new kitten appeared in the house. At first, Tosa was a bit hesitant, but as soon as she realized the kitten wasn't a threat, they became fast friends. Now, they love to cuddle up together, and it's not uncommon to see the kitten sleeping on top of Tosa. They've learned to respect each other's personal space, and it's amazing to see them get along so well.One thing that's really impressive is how Tosa takes on a maternal role with the kitten. If I scold the kitten, Tosa will immediately jump in and try to teach it a lesson. It's hilarious to watch, and it's clear that she's taken on a protective role.Relationships with childrenTosa is absolutely smitten with our kids, but she's also very protective of them. When our youngest daughter was born, Tosa was by her side every step of the way. She thought the baby was hers, and she'd follow her around the house, making sure she was safe and happy. Even now, Tosa is still very close to the baby, and it's adorable to see them interact.It's clear that Tosa has a special place in her heart for our kids, and she'll always be there to protect and care for them.I have to admit, I was a bit anxious when my older kids were around. I wanted to make sure they weren't going to accidentally hurt my little one.But they're also super affectionate - each in their own way. They can get a bit feisty with me from time to time, but it's all within reason.It's actually really cute when we're taking photos and she tries to squeeze in next to me and get in the shot. From the outside, it looks pretty funny. Antonina thinks of herself as a little kid, so she loves to climb into strollers, car seats, or just grab onto my hands whenever she can.And sometimes, she manages to do all three at the same time.I've gotta say, this pup is super social and loves kids - that's the main takeaway, I think.One of their favorite games to play together is tag - it's just like a pack of wild mustangs running free.xa0A TON OF FEEL-GOOD MOMENTSThis bulldog loves attention, no question.I've gotta say, this little guy stole my heart. He's the perfect pocket-sized companion.At first glance, I thought she was a Yorkie, but I guess that's not the case. I'd spend hours cuddling and playing with her - she'd be one happy pup. She's a tiny ball of joy.Sometimes I wonder, what did I do to deserve this little bundle of joy? Was it my karma or something? I could've easily walked away, but nope, I took her on.Fast forward to all these years, and she's become a part of the family. Of course, with time comes new challenges - some things change, while others emerge. There are times when I feel like I'm doing it all out of pity rather than love. When those thoughts creep in, I try to take her out for a walk without a leash, run around, play some more. I also love holding her during movie nights - it brings back those sweet, tender moments. That's pretty much the story of our little drama.Tying up loose ends. I've had my fair share of dogs - a cocker spaniel, a pincer, and a French bulldog. And let me tell you, the bulldog was the most high-maintenance by far. 100%. It's a tough road bringing a new furry friend into your home, and it's not something to take lightly. There's no going back, but it's also an incredible joy - even if it comes with a few tears along the way. Just kidding about that last part.