Carmel Magazine

034 Dina Eastwood_Carmel Mag 10/23/13 10:29 AM Page 1 BEHIND THE SPOTLIGHT DINA EASTWOOD Puppy Love 'm in love. I haven't felt like this in the bed. She thinks toes are toys and ear lobes are for eating. brown eyes are what initially breathe, she lays across my chest, her added heaviness tricking I 20 years. I think those dark attracted me, but then I got a taste of the best personality I've encountered in a long time: extremely I cater to her every need. When I feel so low that it hurts to me into thinking it's the puppy, not my heart, that feels like lead. She is my four-legged Prozac. The other day, I went to one of those pet superstores to loyal, exuberant, caring, slightly buy a carrier for Coco. The sales associate kept trying to sell ing to undertake the extra household clean-up. Heck, I'm not "No," I explained, "A BABY carrier. The fabric kind you strap crazy. And this time is different—I have no irritation about hav- me a plastic box with a metal mesh door. even annoyed with the snoring. I am now a first-time puppy on to the front of you." She grimaced and laughed, then told the family and I have become one of "those people" whom I I left the store without a carrier, but instead with hair bows, owner. Colette Anastasia Aurora Eastwood the Pug has joined used to criticize: Now, I carry a dog in a purse while shopping at Whole Foods in my yoga pants. My personal life has been less than charming for the last sev- eral months. I treat crises like the plague and watching one that involves me, being played out in public at times, has me resem- me I'd have to "go to Carmel to find something like that." a doggy vest and a darn Halloween costume for the pooch, even as a voice in my consciousness said, "DO NOT PROCEED with this purchase!" $75 later, Coco looked so cute. The storage on my cell phone is full due to an overload of bling one of our four tortoises. I am perfectly happy to stay in Coco photos. If you are a friend of mine, I have flooded your bright points has been finally allowing baby, she seems to be cutest when sleeping, and I am asked if Since Morgan was 4 years old, she has begged me for a "punch face dog," aka, a Pug. my "shell" all day. One of the only my 16-year-old daughter to get her first puppy. Since Morgan was 4 years old, she has begged me for a "punch texts with "Baby" in every single pose imaginable. And, like a she is ever awake. Yes, she is, and the bags under my eyes are testament to that. As soon as all her inoculations are given, we will join the face dog," aka, a Pug. For years, she not-so-secret Carmel society of Doggies and Owners every- said dog, if I would only give her a first time she is willing to share something with me without promised to love, honor and cherish chance to do so. She found Coco online, and, initially, the dog was too young to come home with where. Carmel Beach, here we come. As for Morgan, it's the much complaint. According to one of the hundreds of websites dedicated to us. Waiting until she was 8 weeks old became tough for both glorifying this silly looking breed, "Ugly Mugs Pugs" states, "The googly-eyed stare and disproportionate, silly looking body. exceptionally silly companion to the people who love them. of us once we became addicted to the photos of the Pug's Finally, the big adoption day came, and I knew the dog was going to be mine when Morgan "had to" attend a concert and I had to drive an hour to pick up the puppy. Pugs are said to be good for stay-at-home moms and this is true. My little buddy is at my feet every waking minute. I actu- ally chuckled when I tripped over her and stumbled onto our unforgiving tile floor. Coco is cute beyond words, and occupies those dreadful times a mother experiences when she knows breed's only purpose is to be a constant, loyal, devoted, and Pugs remain playful and puppyish all their lives. They are curi- ous, demanding, and have a distinct sense of humor." And, it continues fittingly, during my current life transition, "One only need to come home to the affections of a pug to feel com- pletely beloved, accepted, and physically attractive. May we all aspire to be the people our dogs think we already are!" I could not have said it better. Dina Eastwood is a former news anchor at KSBW TV, past host the days with her older teen daughter are winding down. Coco of "Candid Camera" and has starred on a reality show on the E! do, from typing on my laptop to folding laundry and making Monterey Peninsula with her daughter, Morgan. is a refresher course in patience, as she disrupts everything I 34 C ARMEL M AG A Z I N E • H O L I D AY 2013 Network. She is a writer, editor and yogini. She resides on the

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