Gracie was my dog in college–she lived with me for years and was a specific breed of brindle boxer mixed with just a little bit of a-hole. Meaning: She hated men. Specifically, then men I dated. She would growl and her hair would go up. She never actually bit any guy, but it came pretty close a couple of times.

So, I knew when I moved to New York I knew it wouldn’t be a good move for her. Not only because she hated any man that came within a few feet of me, but because she was used to a yard. And space. And grass. The change would have been bad for her and even worse for my dating life. Not to mention, she loved my parents. While I was in college, it always seemed she was happiest when I was home over break. The decision was made for me: My parents would keep Gracie. I missed her (and still miss) her constantly, but it was the right decision to make. Within months, Gracie’s aggression had subsided. She still has certain people that she doesn’t like, but for the most part she’s very friendly now. NYC would have ruined her for sure.