3-Word Wisdom 24: Adopt a pet

Hubby and I are dog people. My wedding dowry was my dog, a yellow lab mix that I named Kitty. Hubby, Kitty and I were a happy family of three, and when Son and Daughter came into the world, she was their attentive guardian and loyal playmate. Kitty went to dog heaven 12 years later, and it took only three weeks before we had another pet in our lives. Our Golden Retrievers Katie, Spencer, Tracy and Bear eventually joined the family, and shared all of our special moments over the years. As each one crossed their rainbow bridge, we tearfully said our goodbyes, gently stroking our beloved “kids” as our vet administered the injection that would release them from their suffering. When our last Golden, Tracy, left us, Hubby declared that we would not get another pet – losing them was simply too difficult.

We would remain a pet-free family for five years…..except for our neighbor’s Golden, Bogie, who became a daily visitor– and helped us through our lost pet grieving process for those years. Last year Bogie’s amazing14 year journey ended – our neighbor came to our doorstep to tearfully deliver the news - and we suddenly felt the void of being completely without the company of man’s best friend. It was time for me to confront Hubby’s no-more-dogs mandate with an ultimatum of my own….we were going to get a pet – or else! Within days, our search began. We opted to rescue a Golden Retriever, and last April we adopted Lucy, from Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue. Take a minute to watch the video of some of the dogs they recently rescued from Taiwan. If Hubby has his way, Lucy may soon have a playmate!

Lucy’s backstory is not complete, but what we do know is that she was a puppy mill breeding machine who was dumped at the pound when her puppy bearing years were over. She must have lived in a small kennel with no toys – only her puppies to mother – and no room to jump or play. She had to learn how to climb our stairs, and has no jump instinct, likely due to her confinement in cramped quarters for the first six years of her life. No amount of coaxing will entice her to hop up on the couch for a cuddle - and in hindsight this may be a blessing, considering her abundance of expendable fur! In the eleven months with us, Lucy is slowly discovering her “inner dog”. She looks forward to her walks and has a basket full of soft plush toys – her “babies”- that she nuzzles and carries from room to room. She has discovered tennis balls, but is not quite sure what to do with them once she captures one. Lucy is my constant companion, and as hard as it will be to lose her someday, Hubby and I know that in her time with us, we are giving her the life she has always deserved. We love Lucy!

Today’s 3-Word Wisdom: Adopt a pet. There so many animals in need of a loving home, and while they may not be able to tell you, their soulful eyes will convey their gratitude for your kindness. There is no greater feeling than the loving wag – or contented purr – of a rescued pet.

Our sweet rescue girl, Lucy