My college career eventually ended a year later when I graduated and was rushed off into the world of entry-level jobs and roaming the country aimlessly trying to make use of my college education. I moved back home with my mom and began writing, taking on freelance jobs and making a living as a substitute teacher. Stella followed, wagging her tail every moment she had with me; spending many nights asleep beneath my desk at my feet as I pound away at the keyboard for hours on end.

Now, years later, someone new occupies my old college house that is filled with memories that live only in my mind. The writing assignments eventually began to come in and, life continues to move forward, the only mementos left from my college years is my dog and a few stories shared over cheap beers with some of my friends who experienced it all with me.

Stella eventually took on that potty training challenge, and we have found the right shampoos that keep her from smelling like corn chips for a few hours when company comes over. Late at night when the television goes off and the computer is shut down, she follows me, wagging her tail all the way to the bedroom and hops under the covers ready for bed. Even when I have gone on yet another bad date with a sobbing homosexual telling me about how his redneck dad refuses to accept the fact that he is into black men, or when a catty little first grader tells me that I talk like a midget, Stella is always happy to see me when I get home. Its tough being a gay man in West Texas or any other part of America and so a little furry friend, the four-legged kind, is always good to have around. So, once again, thank you, Ellen, for standing up for what is important to us. Because after fighting for our right to marry, gay adoption or just being accepted by society day in and day out; everyone needs someone to go home to. Fortunately, for me, that happens to be Stella.

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