The Hideous Chihuahua

My car has been in the shop since Dec. 23 when I had a minor fender bender. Even though I've had a perfectly adequate rental vehicle, I have really missed my Chevy Equinox, which I got back from the dealership yesterday.

For starters, the rental didn't have heated seats. How do people in Detroit in January live without them? Actually, I use those puppies year round because of my achy back. Too much sitting, not enough yoga -- but the heated seats help a lot.

What I really missed, though, was The Hideous Chihuahua. She's my dashboard bobblehead and we've been through quite a lot together. She always nods "yes" when I need an affirmation and "no" when I need, well, a reality check. That's pretty amazing coming from a fuzz-covered piece of plastic.

She got her nickname from my ungrateful husband, who I actually gave her to as a birthday gift many years ago. He proclaimed her to be too ugly for his car and so she ended up in mine. It was meant to be, I think, because she really has turned into my confidant over the years.

When I was driving back and forth to East Lansing from Detroit for law school, she really got an earful. She listened patiently while I memorized and recited opening and closing arguments along with various statutes and other legal mumbo jumbo. As of late, she's been my companion as I've been chauffeuring our aging cat and dog (a real-life Chihuahua named Martha) to various vets and specialists.

Even though she's a little, well, hideous, because of the oversized head and big black circles around her eyes, she never fails to get a giggle from a new passenger. I'm convinced she's part of the reason I didn't get a ticket in that fender bender. Guardian angels are great, but I'll stick with The Hideous Chihuahua.