DogDaz Zoo

Puppy Sofie in shopping cart

My friends, Mojo’s humans, are trying to decide whether to bring a new puppy into their lives.  They are struggling with the decision on many levels.  This made me think about how animals have come into my family over the years and the driving forces behind their adoptions. 

Nikki was my first puppy at 8 weeks of age, and I got her from a breeder because I wanted a Cocker Spaniel puppy, and that is the only way I thought you got one.  I did not know about rescue in those days and my mother told me that dogs from shelters all had 3 legs (it is a long story and probably was her attempt to get me not to keep asking for another pet).  I was in my twenties and learned all about late night feedings and whining and potty runs, down 2 flights of stairs in an apartment.  I got Nikkolette, even though I had 4 cats at the time, because I missed having a dog, and had just had major back surgery and had a need for the attention and unconditional love that a dog gives.  She was part of my recovery.  Nikki was with me through out-of-state moves, purchases of new homes, the birth of my daughter, divorce, remarriage, step kids, more cats, and, in her last years, the addition of my first rescue, Squash E Bear.  18 years is a long time.

Squash E Bear was already middle aged when he rescued us. Nikki must have been 17. I wish that I could have seen Squash as a puppy, but he was such a spry 5 or 7-year-old.  V and the kids found him on the road and none of us ever looked back.  He softened the blow when Nikki passed over and forced me to exercise several times a day, no matter how much my body hurt, because, he needed to walk and I needed him.  If you have read the blog you know that he will always be my Soul-Dog.  He rescued the whole family in magical ways.

Louise was about 5 or 6 months (that is still a puppy – right?) when we brought this terrified little mess home to be Squashes eyes (he had gone blind from the diabetes).  I thought it would help him stay connected in his dark world and she absolutely did.  He was probably about 9 or 10 when she came.  To this day she likes to take other dogs leads and walk them.   She was there for me when Squash passed over. So the walking continued and though it was just her and me now, we started to find our rhythm.  She continues to teach me a different view of the world from one who is shy and fearful and gives me unconditional love and devotion.

I was mourning the loss of Squash so much, and for some reason my back had taken an unexpected turn so I was laid up for a few months, at which time V thought maybe I needed a puppy to brighten my heart and get me out of bed.  Hence how we found the ever-loving, Miss Sofie Bear.  She was supposed to be a Collie/Shepard (kind of like Squash) but turned out to be a Sheltie/Corgie or something like that – so unique and so wonderful.  She was about 14 or 16 weeks, who knows with rescues.  And there she is (pic above) on her ‘Gotcha Day,’ in a cart at Home Depot with me.  My little sausage patty, who is always happy and smiling and wants a tummy rub.

Each of my dogs came to me at different times in my life, for different reasons, and I am so blessed by every one of my animals and the lessons they teach me. 

So why did you get your puppy?

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤