Today, sweet Mala Beads, you are 1. (Experience this post on Instagram.)
![Mala Beads Gillespie in the crate for the first time, on gotcha day. He's so wittle!](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-first-time-in-crate-225x300.png)
You were born under Gemini Sun and Cancer Moon — you are bright, curious, clever, playful, and you pick up on my every emotion, which means you’ve done a really good job of calming me down. Teaching me to rest. Helping me embrace playfulness. Getting me to release MY anxiety so our entire home is more pleasant.
![Early Mala with and without Bonnie Gillespie, his person.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-3-pounds-sleep-on-lap-head-on-bed-hug-momma-zoom-249x300.jpg)
You sit at your spot with an uplifted Paw of Anticipation. You are skilled at “go show daddy.” You love visiting aunt Tracy for puplates (you share a love of sloths).
![Mala puppy belly on International Dog Day.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-international-dog-day-belly-236x300.jpg)
Whether it’s desqueakifying a new stuffed toy within an hour of receiving it or playing RUN-RUN-RUN with any of your favorite balls, your energy is so fun and sweet and social. I especially love that you never chase after one thing without another thing still in your mouth. So Gemini!
![Mala puppy in the Mighty TicTac (Bonnie Gillespie's 1990 Mazda Miata; no, she's not for sale) + face-down sleeping.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-in-tictac-face-plant-225x300.png)
When we go for walks, you always get compliments from folks in our neighborhood. (You do have lovely long legs and such an approachable disposition!) Chasing a leaf down and then walking with it, proudly, as if it’s a big cigar in your mouth… that’s another of the so very you things that you do.
![Gotcha day! Mala's adoption photos (as Owl, from the Labelle Foundation), a welcoming crate and toy, and Bonnie Gillespie and Keith Johnson heading back to the beach with their new baby boy puppy.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-crate-baby-shots-car-ride-home-225x300.png)
You very recently let us know that you like alone time and don’t need to follow us everywhere all the time. *gasp* This is thrilling! And also a clear sign of your growth in these 10+ months we’ve shared.
![Mala climbing the California Incline in his hoody, then passed out after a big beach day.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-incline-tuckered-out-168x300.jpg)
Sweet Mala, you have my heart. You’ve helped me heal. You make me laugh more every day than I have in years.
![Mala stretching to check out a poster (he thinks his reflection is another dog) and showing off his belly and tongue.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-poster-belly-up-300x202.jpg)
Your angel-wing markings, belly freckles, and curly-Q tail are all a part of what makes you so YOU.
![Sweet puppy giving a blep. Tiny headed Mala + Bon on gotcha day!](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-blep-tiny-head-car-ride-home-225x300.png)
Thank you for being born at the exact right time! Happy birthday! And thank you to The Labelle Foundation and the BEST fosters! Very special thanks to Beth Goldfarb-Jackson to whom I said “absolutely NO chihuahuas” a year or so ago.
![Mala with 3 belly-up shots, from behind on the big stairs to the big world, in the car, and simply being beautiful.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-belly-stairs-car-backpack-model-shot-225x300.png)
You’re part chihuahua, part min-pin, part pom. And PURE love.
![Mala in hoodie face-planting in pillows, sneaking a kiss behind Bonnie Gillespie's ear, and fresh from the bath.](https://bonniegillespie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/mala-hoodie-pillow-fort-bon-love-fresh-from-the-bath-225x300.png)
Thank you, Mala. For being.
Bonnie Gillespie is living her dreams by helping others figure out how to live theirs. Wanna work with Bon? Start here. Thanks!