Before I get into today’s post, here is something to whet your curiosity.
What is this man doing? And why I am I taking his picture?
Details in the next post.
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I have spent a good chunk of time over the past few days writing a fairly long and involved description of the emotional process we went through in making our Dog Decision. Did we even want to get another dog? If so, did we want a rescue dog? An adult dog? A puppy? A Maltese? Another breed altogether? And how long did we want to wait before we even considered doing anything in the dog department?
After looking back over the many words I’d written (and rewritten), I came to the conclusion that it was a little on the ponderous side and involved way too much information to expect anyone to wade through, especially since you already knew what our decision was.
So instead I will just summarize the process a little and focus my story on the day we got Summer and some of the circumstances around that event.
Here’s how it all started . . .
Although Steve and I had spent several hours over the past few weeks searching different rescue websites, the only very small breeds we came across were either senior dogs, or dogs with health problems. As much as the three of us wanted to get a rescue dog, we knew that after the heartache of dealing with Snowy’s failing health and subsequent death, we couldn’t handle that sort of thing again anytime soon. And so we started widening the search a little.
When we did, Steve happened across a Yorkie breeder in Winston Salem, NC who had posted a picture of Summer on her website. Since Summer had had four litters of puppies and was being retired, her owners were needing to find a good home for her. The breeder was very selective about who she would even consider for Summer and had already fielded several inquiries about her when Steve called. After a long conversation with Steve, she decided that we sounded like a perfect fit as Summer’s new family; thankfully, the price was very reasonable and we made plans to go pick her up.
The big challenge arose, however, when we were trying to figure out the best time for the three of us to make the 12-hour (round trip) road trip. Between Sarah’s school, church services, and various obligations, it looked like it wasn’t going to work out for a while and so we just put the whole thing on a temporary hold.
As it turned out, though, last Tuesday Steve was scheduled to be in Greenville, NC to serve on a committee interviewing ministerial candidates for ordination. He got finished with that around 1 pm and called me and said, “You know what? I’m already 2 1/2 hours down the road in the direction of Summer’s house. Maybe I should just go pick her up today.”
I said, “You are not seriously thinking about traveling for six hours alone with a new dog in the car! You don’t have a collar or a leash or a kennel and you won’t have anyone to take care of her while you drive. That will NEVER work!”
Well, Steve is not one to be easily deterred once he gets a good idea and so he put in a call to Summer’s owners to ask how well she traveled. They said she had never been very far from home but that they could give her a sedative for the trip and she should do fine
And so it was decided. Even though he’d already been on the road since 5:30 that morning and was looking at not getting home until after midnight (after traveling with an unfamiliar dog) he was ready to go. That’s one brave man!
As he and his new girl said their goodbyes to her owners and took off down the road, Summer, who was riding shotgun in her little pink bed, probably wondered what in the world was going on and what strange new world she was going to. Steve said she did wonderfully throughout the trip; although she threw up twice (which the owner warned him about), she slept contentedly the rest of the trip home.
I had told Steve to call me when he was about ten minutes away so that I could get up and welcome him and Summer home. (Sarah had decided not to get up since she had to be up early for school.)
I will never forget the feeling of waiting all alone in our dark kitchen, looking out the front window for the first sign of the headlights that would herald the arrival of Snowy’s successor. I was sitting in the same chair that I’d held Snowy in just an hour before he died. I was just a foot away from where his food dish had been; and three feet from where his kennel had always sat.
And with Snowy’s remembered presence all around me, and his many memories still alive in my heart, I sat in the darkness and cried. I missed him so much and was still so empty-hearted over his passing. I wasn’t entirely sure if I was ready for a new dog with Snowy’s memory still so strong but I knew that I couldn’t look back forever. And so I sat in the silence and told him that I hoped he didn’t mind that we had decided to move on and get another little doggie for our family—and a little girl doggie at that.
As it happened, earlier that morning I had gone out to Snowy’s grave for the first time since his death and shed a few more goodbye tears over him. At the time that I did it, I had no idea that Summer would be coming into our lives that very night but as I look back at it, the timing was so perfect. A tender goodbye in the morning balanced by a tender hello that night.
Steve pulled into the driveway at 12:30 am and when I went out to the car to greet them, Summer was curled up in her little pink bed on the front seat.
My mama heart immediately went out to her as I tried to imagine how she felt, being taken away from every single familiar thing except her bed and her blanket. She would be sleeping in a new house, getting used to new people, separated from her birth mom (who still lived at the breeders) as well as her “adopted mom.” My mama heart was ready for the challenge of making her feel right at home.
Although Summer had been well cared for and very well-loved at her former home, she’d always had to share that love with 18 other dogs. Because of that fact, I was especially excited about the privilege of welcoming her into a family all her own, and welcoming her to a home with three people who would love only her.
One especially cool thing about the timing of her arrival was that at some point during the many dog conversations the three of us have had since Snowy’s death, we had decided that we wanted to wait at least one month before we got another dog. Although we didn’t realize the implications at the time, she came to us thirty minutes after midnight which also just happened to be thirty minutes into the new day—the day that marked the four-week anniversary of Snowy’s death. One month exactly.
I scooped Summer up from the front seat and looked into that little face and then I thought of Snowy, lying in his grave just a few feet away from us, and the way his sweet, sassy face always made me smile. And I felt grateful for a second chance at doggie love, a second opportunity to blend our lives with another one of God’s amazing creatures.
Welcome home, sweetest Summer!
I was so sorry to hear that Snowy had passed away. You had so many wonderful stories about Snowy and the times she was such a comfort to Sarah when she was ill. I know Summer will be a joy to all of you through thick and thin. We have a path around one of our lakes in Minnesota that at the bottom of one of the trees someone made a doorway and people leave notes for the “elf” living in the tree. Maybe this man is speaking with the little person in the tree?
Oh, Becky, I just read the Summer story – how perfect for all of you – and you did RESCUE this little lady – rescues come in all sorts of varieties. She had never had her very OWN home and now she does. Snowy to Summer – how appropriate are those names. And, I am sure as sure can be that Snowy would not want another BOY dog to move into his house and family – a girl was the perfect pick – he guided you all the way. Snowy will never be replaced, and you know that – Summer is just a loving new furry adventure. Snowy is smiling, no doubt. I am so happy for all of you, especially that pretty, sweet little lady who has done a lot of doggie work already and now it is time for fun and luxury.
Well Becky, I wished you would have let me know she was coming from Winston Salem. I only live 30 minutes from there! I could have picked up this sweet Summer gal & met you guys halfway in Raleigh. I could have wrapped two great things up in one trip: help deliver a beautiful doggie to her new owners and get to visit with my son at NCSU!! She is so darling and I love the story behind her acquisition!!
Incredible story. This is simply meant to be … Summer Smith, welcome home! 🙂
What a sweet story. I would have enjoyed the longer version. I think that even though she was loved by her former family, you have rescued her from the life of being a breeder and have made her a loved and cherished family member. I know she must be so happy to have all of the attention lavished upon her without having to share with anyone else. Has she taken over the job of escorting Sarah to school?
Gayle, Summer hasn’t escorted Sarah to school yet; we’re letting her get used to her surroundings a little more before taking her many places. Steve did her along on a little brief errand the other day and she did great so I think we’re getting close to the School Escort Service coming back into existence!
What a neat story! 🙂 Summer has a great furever home with a great human family. 🙂
Kristi, we’re ever so glad that Summer has joined the Smith clan. 🙂
So glad to learn the Summer story and looking forward to more. She is adorable.
Thanks, Ann. Prayers for you and Jim today.
Becky: I am taking that picture of Summer’s hair to my salon tomorrow and telling the colorist….THAT is the blonde I want! We’ll just call it “Summer Blonde!” She’s already a trend setter!! Hee, hee! Welcome, Summer!
Jojy, that is so funny. I looked at the picture and thought the same thing; that is a gorgeous shade of blonde! Looks like we have a tiny Marilyn Monroe on our hands.
We are currently in the process of considering a retired show/breeding dog too. It is nice to see that this can work out well.
I’ve never seen fur as silky and shiny as Summer’s!!! Perhaps she should do Pantene commercials? 🙂
Ellen, so far we’ve been very pleased with Summer so it seems that a retired show/breeding dog is a good bet. It’s a wonderful feeling to give a “working dog” a happy retirement. And yes, she has got the shiniest fur. I’m just slightly jealous.
So happy that Summer has come to join your family! Will be looking forward to many “Summer” stories!:-)
Bridgette, Summer pictures and stories are on the line up!
Oh, I forgot about the tree guy! Well, he is taking a picture. I think. Of……hmmmm…a flower? a bug?
Lesley, yes, you have guessed correctly that he was taking a picture. But the reason I have a picture of a guy taking a picture has another story behind it altogether! 🙂
She must love all the attention! Does she bark much? She is adorable. Thanks for sharing (and I would have enjoyed the long meandering post with all the details 🙂
Lesley, well, when I read back over what I had written and bored with it myself (sooooo many details) I didn’t feel like it would be fair to foist all that upon my dear readers. But thank you for being kind enough to say you would have enjoyed it. Surprisingly, Summer is not yappy; in fact, she barks very little, which is a pleasant surprise. And yes, she LOVES attention!! (Which is a good thing, because we love giving it!)
She is so cute and so happy to hear the story. I love how she sits with you all in the chairs while you are on the computer just like Snowy did. She is such a sweet addition to your family. Can’ t wait to hear more stories about Summer.
Shawn, I’m glad you’re looking forward to READING stories about Summer because I’m looking forward to WRITING them! (And of course, she may write a few herself.) 🙂
Now there’s a face that not only a mother, but everyone can love!:-) What a sweet little doggie.
Love deb
Deb, that she is. She is currently snoozing contentedly beside as I type. Ahhh . . . .
What a wonderful story! I really like the part where she gets to be an only (and hopefully a bit spoiled) child!
Jan, yes, we are very much looking forward to our assigned job of spoiling her!
I forgot to say, I’ve decided that the man is taking photos of a worm family reunion.
Jan, you guessed it! It WAS a worm family reunion. How did you know?! 🙂
Oh, how I’ve been waiting for this story! So very thrilled for all of you! Welcome, Summer!
Stefanie, so happy to know that Summer has a St. Louis fan! 🙂