This is a story about our dog.
I want to say this right up front, after reading this, you might think that I'm full of s***. (Hell, you might think that already!)
And that may indeed be true. But....
That might not be the case at all. Bear with me -
Here's the story: You may know that last year we lost our dog Molly after 14 years of her being part of our family. Going through that and the aftermath as awful, but I guess it's what you sign up for when a pet joins your family. You know that most likely - you will outlive them and have to deal with the pain of their passing. That was case with us. So much so, that Valerie swore off ever having another dog because it's just to painful when they pass. I knew though, the time would come when that would heal, and we'd start looking again. That's just who we are. We're dog people.
Truth is, though - I was kind of terrified by the thought, even though I knew we were doing it no matter what. It took a year, but we started talking about it. We knew we wanted another rescue pup, and I guess I was scared that we could end up with a dog that was difficult. Maybe aggressive, or one that chewed everything in sight, or barked incessantly. Or - long sleepless nights because they're crying in a crate in a strange place! And as much as I wanted another dog- I was just nervous about starting over.
But we did- and once Sweet Paws Rescue sent this pic -
It was over. I just KNEW this dog was the one. Don't ask me how - I just did. Strange thing is though- we didn't ask about her until a MONTH after we saw the pic due to our schedules being too busy. I thought there was no chance this dog had not been adopted already. Amazingly, I was wrong.
We went and met her - and as soon as she stood on her hind legs and licked my face, I knew Daisy Mae was coming home with us.
But here's the point of this whole post: How in the hell can you KNOW that a dog is PERFECT for you by looking at a picture? HOW? It's impossible, right?
I mean - what are the chances they'll be the right amount of affectionate, and have the perfect gentle temperament needed for dealing with little kids and other dogs? What are the chances they'll walk perfectly by your side without any instruction? There's a million questions you don't know the answers to-
But as I sit here today, I'm absolutely amazed at how well Daisy fits into our family. All of those things and more - all fell into place so quickly I was waiting for the other "shoe to drop"! Like - Im going to come home and find she ate the friggin couch, or something! And the more I thought about that- the more it seemed like - she just KNEW.
Somehow - she KNOWS. Daisy seems to know what Valerie and I needed to fill the hole Molly left in our hearts. She's a completely different dog, and yet - she has things about her that are eeirly similar! And that makes me wonder- is that just the universes way of healing us, or - who knows? Maybe Molly had something to do with that! Seriously- maybe there is something to that! Isn't there a movie about that kind of thing that came out a year or two ago??????
I know - here's where you say "Kretchy - you ARE full of ****", but I'm telling you that's what it feels like.
Think about it - a hundred things had to happen in order for her to find her way to US: when she was rescued, when she travelled north, when WE were ready to start looking again, when our schedule had a hole in it to get to see her - before anyone else had a chance to say "Yes" to adopting her! A hundred things had to happen at the exact right time for things to align so she ended up with us. If any of them go wrong- our paths never cross, and she's living some another family.
I used to believe in coincidences. I don't anymore. I stopped believing in them long ago. Shit happens for a reason.
This dog was rescued in Mississippi and somehow found her way to us, and she's been the greatest gift. Greater than we could have hoped. Not just because we love dogs- but rather that everything about her seems - intuitive - like she's totally dialed in to what we were looking for in a dog, and she's giving it to us. And it's the best gift ever.
I don't know, I certainly don't have the answers, but I can tell you this- never in a million years did I think our connection to another dog would run as deep as it did with Molly. But then we saw the picture, and met Daisy. And in the short time we've had her- I get the feeling it wasn't luck at all. Maybe it's thanks to Molly somehow or maybe we didn't "choose" Daisy- maybe somehow she "chose" US. Maybe animals sense way more than we give them credit for and they DO know what we need, and when we need it. I don't know -but I DO know this:
Valerie and I could not be more grateful.
However Daisy made it to us- it wasn't luck. I'm totally convinced - it was just meant to be. And that's a beautiful thing.
g
ps. None of this would have happened without Sweet Paws Rescue. They were and are amazing! www.sweetpawsrescue.org