Words from a wallflower

Photo: Taelar Pollmann · The Sentry

**Just Peachy**

My mom recently asked me for ideas for graduation gifts. I told her that I only had one in mind—Peach. That’s the name I’ve picked for the English Bulldog that my mom has promised me for college graduation since I was a little girl.

When I was five years old, two English Bulldogs lived down the street from me. One was named Brewskey, who would sit at the top of his owner’s driveway with his hind legs out to the side because that was perhaps the only way he could sit comfortably with his big belly. He wouldn’t venture far before he started heavily snorting and returned to his crooked sitting position.

The other Bulldog was named Lola, who lived across the street from Brewskey. My parents had to dog sit her when she was a puppy, and I was more than happy to run around in our front yard with Lola chasing me while tripping over her big paws. I fell in love with her goofy personality and the cute wrinkles that bunched all over her body.

Now, 15 years later from when I lived down the street from those two Bulldogs, I desperately want one of my own, as evident from my wide eyes and open-mouth smile when I see one. At the age of five, having my own dog seemed like a dream out of my reach, but it’s not so far away now. I’ve decided that the possibility of having my own dog is one of the perks of being an adult.

There’s no doubt that Peach is a big graduation gift, and I’m so grateful for the promise that my mom made to me years ago. I might have to wait to actually get a Bulldog depending on my admittance into law school, but regardless of when I get Peach, she will symbolize the accomplishment of me graduating that led to the point of me being able to have her in my home.

As for the name Peach, there’s really no other explanation for it other than I think it’s fitting for a Bulldog and that I sometimes use the phrase “just peachy” when I’m asked how I’m doing. Of course, I’ll be better than “just peachy” when I have my own Bulldog.