Three years ago I received a call from a friend who said someone had dropped three puppies off in their fenced-in yard. She wanted to know if we could take them until she found homes for them. We had four dogs of our own and sure didn't need more but I could NOT say no to puppies in need. We had an empty stall to put them in so I told her to bring them on out. I quickly readied the stall and waited...... oh, they were just too cute! All wiggly and bouncy, full of puppy kisses.
John was golfing that evening and I couldn't wait for him to come home and see the little ones. While he doesn't share my total love for ALL animals he does like the dogs and especially puppies. I had no doubt that he would be okay with my actions and he was. He took over the feeding of them just like they were his own and while they were in good condition when they came to us they thrived under John's care.
The pups had been with us a little over a week when our friend called to tell us she had found a family that would take all three puppies. I think they planned to keep two and find a home for the third one. Oh no.... so soon?!?! We were totally enjoying these little girls (all three were female) and there was one in particular that we were partial to. She was short legged and had a dorsal stripe. We were pretty sure she was going to be dachshund-like and John had always wanted a Dachshund...... I know you can see where this is headed....
The afternoon the family was scheduled to come and get the pups we were both going to be at work. John and I talked about putting the "little one" up in the house that morning but we didn't. As I said earlier, we had four dogs already and felt we probably didn't need to add another one..... but she was just so darn precious! We talked again on the phone while at work deciding that we should keep the little one. The plan was that John would go home at noon and put her in a kennel in the house..... if she wasn't in the barn when they came they couldn't take her. I called after lunch to make sure he was able to get away and go home but he told me that he didn't. Oh how my heart sunk! I was ready to bolt and leave work immediately before the family got there and took them all. I was frantic until John finally told me that he had been playing with me and yes, he made it home and the little one was safe inside. My reaction told me that we were doing the right thing. I was heartbroken at the thought of loosing her.... but we didn't and we named her Crickett.
Please don't be fooled into thinking that in order to be a good pet that the dog must be purebred and registered. That is very far from the truth. People use to ask us what kind of dog we thought Crickett was because she has a long back and little short, squatty legs. My reply was always "a lucky dog". But the truth of the matter is that WE are the lucky ones. She brings so much love and laughter to the house that I can't imagine what it would have been like had we not kept her. I've never had a dog with as much emotion. She smiles showing her pearly whites and her bottom lip quivers when she gets in trouble. What a joy she is! Don't be afraid to rescue a "little one" of your own. I know there are many out there just needing an opportunity to show you their love.
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