Tell the story of how your pet first entered your life.
It was 2011, and I was a senior in college when Banzai came into my life. It was my first year living in an apartment complex and my parents told me after moving me in, “No animals.” However, deep down I knew that wouldn’t remain true. Around my birthday, my neighbor came over to ask if I was interested in a dog since he knew I loved animals. I was hesitant, but went over to see him anyway. Everything changed the moment I walked into the house. Banzai came running around the corner at the top of the stairs while I stood at the bottom looking up. It felt like love at first sight. I felt an immediate change inside me, like he had already decided I was his person before I could decide anything at all. I told myself I’d just take him home for one night and see how I felt — knowing full well that he would not be leaving my side. That night, Banzai curled up under the covers beside me and I couldn’t imagine a life without him. Looking back, I don’t think it was coincidence. Banzai came into my life exactly when I needed him most — and somehow, he knew he belonged there.
Looking back, do you feel like you chose them or they chose you? Tell the story of how you knew you belonged together.
Looking back, I truly feel like Banzai chose me. When he snuggled up under the covers right next to me, it was like he already knew I was his person. There was no hesitation, no adjustment period. He didn’t question it — and somehow, neither did I, even against my better judgement. It felt less like a decision and more like something that had already been decided for us. Looking back now, I don’t think we found each other by chance. I think we found each other exactly when we were meant to.
What was happening in your life at the time they arrived?
I was a senior in college, and it was September right around my birthday. I had just gone through a breakup and decided it was finally time to focus on myself. It was also my first year living on my own, which felt both exciting and overwhelming. I partly decided to keep him as a birthday present to myself, but also because I don’t think I could have said no!
What do you remember most about seeing them for the first time?
He was so tiny and skinny, and I felt an instant connection the second I saw him. There was something so adorable in the way he looked, like he needed someone to love and care for him. His little nose was crooked to the left and his snaggle teeth were the perfect mix of out of place and in the right place at the same time.
What stood out about their appearance right away?
He was scrawny and scraggly, with a crooked little face and snaggle teeth — honestly, the kind of dog that was so ugly he was cute. A face only a mother could love. There was just something about him that pulled me in right away. He wasn’t perfect, but he was all mine.
Describe their energy and temperament when you first met them.
When he was little, he was incredibly cuddly — especially at night. He loved to snuggle close, like that’s exactly where he was meant to be. But during the day was a different story. If you got him going, he had this burst of energy — shaking around my roommate’s cat’s toy bear like he meant business. He also loved running hot laps past our neighbor’s giant cat, Kitty, like it was some kind of daily challenge. When he would get all worked up, he had the cutest little pant that made his tongue curl up to the side.
Did your pet come with a name, or did you choose one? Tell the story of how their name was decided.
I don’t remember the name he originally had — he came from my neighbor’s girlfriend, who had adopted him first. At first, I thought he needed a big, strong name. The Lion King has always been my favorite movie, so I named him Mufasa. But when I brought him home to my parents and told them his name, they immediately said it didn’t fit. They joked that he looked more like one of the hyenas. So we looked up their names and landed on Banzai — and it just stuck.
Does their name have a special meaning or inspiration behind it? What makes it feel like the perfect fit?
His name is a perfect fit because he looks all fuzzy like a little hyena. However, people joke that we should have named him Ed after the dumb hyena in the Lion King.
When you say their name now, what does it make you think of?
Since Banzai has passed, when I say his name now I feel love. It makes me think of how he was in my life during such a pivotal time. He changed me. Made me more responsible in college. Showed me that I could truly love something more than I thought possible.
What nicknames do you find yourself using?
He had all kinds of names: B, B Boo Bear, Bubby, Bubs, Bubby B, and the list goes on and on.
