I just found out about Petfinder.com's Adopt the Internet Day 2011 today (it's been a busy couple of weeks -- not getting much work done beyond the required!). This is so important to me that I had to take a few minutes to write about it.
Our dogs have always adopted us. Huh? I truly believe this. Our dogs have all come into our lives, stolen our hearts, and became a part of our family -- usually when we weren't expecting or wanting to get a dog. Our first dog, Brunswick, was a puppy in the newspaper -- he was a beagle/terrier mix -- we called him the "long haired English beagle." He was a "free" puppy from someone's backyard and he started us on this great journey we continue together as a family. Our second dog was also in the newspaper -- Samantha was a golden retriever a family had bought from a breeder and then sentenced to a life tied to a dog house out back when she became a strong, people-oriented adolescent. When we went to see her, we came home soaking wet from all her licking. She was our original "velcro" dog -- she did not like being away from us at all. These two dogs were our first forays into training. We did everything wrong at one time or another, but they were smart and forgiving and helped us to begin shaping our futures in the dog world.
Then we started the journey with the police K-9s. Our first police dog came to live with us just one month before our youngest daughter, Kendra, was born. Aik was Ken's once-in-a-lifetime dog. He loved Ken, Kendra, and working -- in that order. The rest of us he let be in his life because we were somehow connected to his first three loves. His stellar career was cut short by a drunk driver (back injury) and he lived the rest of his way-too-short life in reluctant retirement with us. He was our protector and our friend. Lordy was the "replacement" for Aik (as if that could ever happen!) and he was a tough transition for all of us. He was aloof and independent and became the love of all our lives. He worked hard, played hard, and slept hard. He lived a long wonderful life and when he retired, he became the biggest love bug ever! We lost him last June at almost 14 years old.
We continue to rescue and adopt. Daisy our beagle was turned into the local humane society when she was just 6 weeks old because she was "too much trouble." She was my Mother's Day present that year and she has showed me what I am meant to do with my life. She is my once-in-a-lifetime dog -- there will never be another Daisy. (She will be 9 on Thursday -- Happy Birthday Daisy!!!) Husker, our golden, was turned into a breed rescue because he "shed and peed." Who knew? He helps us to remember every day not to take anything too seriously, to seize the day and to enjoy life. (He will be 8 at the end of the month -- Happy Birthday Husker!!!)
And now there are the puppies. The adorable, exasperating, life-changing, always put a smile on your face puppies. They are almost 5 months old now and they are learning and growing and teaching and reveling in all things new and wonderful every day. They make us all look at life a little differently.
Wow! Dogs change our lives in the blink of an eye! Our dogs have all found us -- is your dog waiting to find you? Always keep your options, and your heart, open. Adopting a new family member may be that change you are wanting or needing; it will definitely change both your life and the life of the animal for the better. You both will know when the time and the relationship is right. Take the leap, click on PetFinder and see who's looking for you.
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