The Puppy Plunge

Most people need only the basics:  Air, food, water and shelter.  Some people probably consider love a basic necessity, and for others of us, God is a basic need as well.  For me, books are a necessity, too.  And cats.  Oh, and definitely Starbucks.  Should the world end tomorrow, I need to make sure I'll have plenty of chai!  I'm sure there are a few other things I missed in that list, but now I'm getting off track!

Our family needs all of those things too.  We also need a dog.

So, we've taken the not-so-puppy puppy plunge.  Gretta was three when we brought her home, so there wasn't much puppy left to her, although she was always very young at heart and brought our family so much happiness.  Even though Lilly is already six months old, there is still quite a bit of puppy left in her!

Lilly has been home for only a few days, but already has been the source of many giggles, quite a few smiles, and some outright laughter.  It's felt good.

Please don't think we ran out right away and replaced Gretta.  We could never do that.  We are very grateful that Lilly was already chosen for us before Gretta died, otherwise it would've just felt very weird bringing another dog home so soon.  Our hope originally was that Lilly would be home before Gretta died, but it didn't work out that way.

When I say Lilly was chosen for us, she really was--God picked her out.  You see, when I realized Gretta was on the final decline, I knew the best way for our family to come to terms with our loss would be to already have a puppy in place.  We need that furry, four legged love.  If we waited, I knew we'd never get another dog because we would be comparing all the candidates to Gretta.  I knew it would just be too painful for us.  So, unbeknownst to my three menfolk, I began contacting breeders.  I started strolling through the local animal shelters.  I looked up the local foster dogs and rescue groups.  But none of the dogs spoke to me.  So many sweet little faces and sad stories, but no one looked like he or she belonged in our home.  I was getting frustrated, and I asked my best friends if it's possible for the best dog in the world to come along twice in one lifetime.  They assured me it was more than just possible.

Turns out, they were right.  I should probably listen to them more often....

Then an email came through the homeschool chat group:  A puppy who needed a new home due to allergies.  I finally 'fessed up to Shawn about my surreptitious puppy searching, and I showed him the email.  He seemed more excited than I was!  Who was this man masquerading as my husband?!  We made arrangements to meet the 5 month old St Bernard/Border Collie mix....  And instantly fell in love.  It really wasn't difficult, after all, who can argue with sweet, smart and adorable?!

I say Lilly was chosen for us by God for several reasons.  Her first family is also Christian and was praying for a family like ours with small children, in which Lilly would be part of the family and not just another dog.  Her first mom wanted a family for Lilly in which she would make a difference.  I'd been praying for a dog we could fall in love with right away, who would blend in with our family without missing a beat, a dog I could train to work as a therapy dog, who would be just as much to us as Gretta was.  And Lilly answered all those prayers and more with one big, wet doggie kiss.

We made arrangements with her first family for them to watch her while we were on vacation.  I think this made things a little easier on them, as they had proper time to prepare themselves (especially the children) for her move, proper time to say goodbye and adjust to the idea that she had a new family.  It was good for us, as it gave us time to get away and deal a little bit with the loss of Gretta.  We picked her up Friday, and she's already made herself at home!

Lilly is hilarious.  She's already had quite a bit of training, and she listens better than our children!  She is a quick study, already having learned how to wait for Avery to go up or down the outside steps before she does so, and waiting for the kids to go through the doors before she does, sitting and waiting patiently!  We've also discovered a bonus to having a puppy: She and the toddler do quite a bit of chasing in the backyard, wearing each other out for us!  They stumble inside, suck down some water and collapse for about 20 minutes, then race outside for another game of chase!  She loves water play, thinks she is quite comfortable in our bed (I've got news for her!), and has introduced herself to the kitties (they're great 4 legged chase toys!), who are not amused.  I was woken up with a giant lick to the face Saturday morning, and I got it in the ear on Sunday morning, when she couldn't wait to get the play started at 6 am (did I mention we're not morning people?!), and something about the ice maker on the fridge thrills her to no end!

Lilly has been great fun for us.  Her love is a healing balm for our grief wounds.  She fits in well with our craziness, and has already attached herself to Noah and Avery.  She is such a blessing for our family.  We are so grateful to her and her first family for the gift of Lilly.

Really Mom?  Bows?!?!