We debated on getting a puppy. I mean, it's nice to have dogs that are potty trained, and the idea of getting new carpet is a bonus. But our own longing, not to mention our daughter's, became a little strong. One of her few Christmas wishes that she documented at school was a "real dog" and a "swimming pool". That girl! Obviously neither of those happened in time for Christmas.
It actually wasn't even that that threw us over the edge. A friend of mine posted a "free" miniature dachshund (like Abbie was) to a good home. And as we talked about how much we would like to add to our family, it became apparent that as much as we loved Abbie, we would much rather have another boxer.
Our boxer has been with us since she was 5.5 weeks old (she just recently turned 12), and has been amazing to say the least.
At this point, we begin to look at the local Boxer Rescue. And man, if I wasn't attached to the majority of the dogs there. There is just something about those faces…
About that same time, we began to hear about a little girl there named Lily.
She was approximately 5-6 years old. Nearly identical in looks to our boxer, Belle. And just being brought in from the shelter. She wasn't fixed, and she had a few tumors. Moving from the shelter (they weren't sure how long she had actually been there), she spent the weekend at the vet. First having her spay surgery, and having two tumors removed.
From our perspective, she seemed to fit the "bill" of what we were looking for. An older boxer - potty trained, a female, and seemingly sweet and easy going. So we sent a message to the rescue to get an application for adoption, and we began to review it. We filled it out and turned it in over the weekend.
The following Monday, she was released from the vet and transported to the Boxer Rescue.
Next, they posted pictures of this sweet girl at the rescue and I just knew that we needed to meet her.
At this point, I did realize that there were real chances that this was NOT the right dog for us. We have a 7yo daughter and a 12yo boxer. And for us to really commit to rescuing a dog, the dog would have to fit with our current family.
At this point, I did realize that there were real chances that this was NOT the right dog for us. We have a 7yo daughter and a 12yo boxer. And for us to really commit to rescuing a dog, the dog would have to fit with our current family.
Wednesday rolls around and we have our home visit. I was a bit nervous. What would this mean? What would they ask? Or look for? But really, it was very simple. Marian came by and we talked about our past animals and our family. She met Belle, our boxer. And made sure that our yard was fenced in properly, etc. All very basic. At the end of the visit, she informed me that we had been approved. Woohoo!
Next, I called the Rescue Director and scheduled a "meet and greet" with Lily that afternoon. I picked up Kate from school with Belle and we drove the 45 minutes down to the Rescue to meet her.
I was a bit nervous. Belle has been used to smaller dogs being around, and has been exposed to larger dogs, but you just never know. They greeted each other at the gate and sniffed around. After separating Lily from the other boxers at the rescue, we introduced them face to face with each other. They would sniff and greet each other, and things were just so easy.
As we transitioned inside, more of the same. Belle was a little nervous being in a new place and thus panted much of the time, but was doing really well with Lily. Lily just made herself at home in my lap. She would just climb right in my lap, and give me kisses. Just a doll.
With daddy's (my husband) blessing, we committed to adopting this sweet girl on the spot. We planned to pick her up on Friday afternoon. Just 48 hours later. And man, you would think that time would fly, but it didn't. Kate drew many pictures for Lily to welcome her to her new home. She asked tons of questions about where she would sleep, and when we would take her on walks, etc. Just completely excited.
Friday night, Kate had plans with a friend, so my amazing mother in law and I drove the 45 minutes down to the rescue ranch to pick up Lily. Let me just take a moment to say how awesome this place is. I love the mission, the people, the dogs. Jeanne, the director of the rescue hosts these amazing animals at her own house. This is her mission and she is an amazing ambassador. You can tell just speaking with her that she has a passion for her work and truly wants to educate you and put the right dog in the right home. Thank you Jeanne for your devotion to each and everyone of the 160+ dogs you have rehomed and rehabilitated.
As we left the rescue, I went to open the back door and move some of Kate's things around in the back so that Lily could get in, but nope. She had other plans. None of which included me doing anything before she got in. She loaded right up in the back seat. And as we made our way home, she laid down and was a great car rider.
When we finally reached home, and Lily closer to meeting her new daddy for the first time, she got right out of the car and ran in the house greeting him in the doorway like she already knew him and was finally home. After some obligatory sniffing around the house and running around, we took her outside to show her the backyard. Afterwards, these two were finally reunited. And already becoming fast friends.
After a little while, we crated Lily just to give her a chance to take it all in and relax before Kate made her way home. When Kate came home 30 minutes or so later, she brought all of her little friends in to meet Lily, and I'm proud to say, Lily was more of the same. Well behaved and just a sweet girl.
As bedtime approached, we put Lily in the kennel in our bathroom. And I'm proud to say, she slept all thru the night.
The weekend has just been so easy, and fun. Lily loves to sing, dance, stand on her hind legs, and just be close to each of us. And when I say sing. I mean sing. Pull out the harmonica, no skills required, and she sings along.
I love it. And it's produced many giggles from a certain little girl over the weekend. Hello new party trick. (Lily doesn't mind at all - especially if you have treats).
Today, Monday, we went and got her stitches removed. She did great. Maybe I've just had way too much experience with a high maintenance dog for a while, but when the guy went to snip the stitches, she just looked at him and let him do it. No worries for this girl. She just goes with the flow. However, the waiting room was another story. She really wanted to get to the talking parrot the office has. The one that kept telling her "Hi. Hi there." What a little taunter he was… Haha.
Overall, I believe this is most definitely one of the best decisions we have made in a while. She has brought so much joy, fun and love to our little family in such a short period of time. She's definitely turning out to be a great sister to this old girl. Which just makes my heart swell.
As a side note, this adorable jacket - I'll be getting two before too long.
You can order one here.
As we transitioned inside, more of the same. Belle was a little nervous being in a new place and thus panted much of the time, but was doing really well with Lily. Lily just made herself at home in my lap. She would just climb right in my lap, and give me kisses. Just a doll.
With daddy's (my husband) blessing, we committed to adopting this sweet girl on the spot. We planned to pick her up on Friday afternoon. Just 48 hours later. And man, you would think that time would fly, but it didn't. Kate drew many pictures for Lily to welcome her to her new home. She asked tons of questions about where she would sleep, and when we would take her on walks, etc. Just completely excited.
Friday night, Kate had plans with a friend, so my amazing mother in law and I drove the 45 minutes down to the rescue ranch to pick up Lily. Let me just take a moment to say how awesome this place is. I love the mission, the people, the dogs. Jeanne, the director of the rescue hosts these amazing animals at her own house. This is her mission and she is an amazing ambassador. You can tell just speaking with her that she has a passion for her work and truly wants to educate you and put the right dog in the right home. Thank you Jeanne for your devotion to each and everyone of the 160+ dogs you have rehomed and rehabilitated.
As we left the rescue, I went to open the back door and move some of Kate's things around in the back so that Lily could get in, but nope. She had other plans. None of which included me doing anything before she got in. She loaded right up in the back seat. And as we made our way home, she laid down and was a great car rider.
When we finally reached home, and Lily closer to meeting her new daddy for the first time, she got right out of the car and ran in the house greeting him in the doorway like she already knew him and was finally home. After some obligatory sniffing around the house and running around, we took her outside to show her the backyard. Afterwards, these two were finally reunited. And already becoming fast friends.
After a little while, we crated Lily just to give her a chance to take it all in and relax before Kate made her way home. When Kate came home 30 minutes or so later, she brought all of her little friends in to meet Lily, and I'm proud to say, Lily was more of the same. Well behaved and just a sweet girl.
As bedtime approached, we put Lily in the kennel in our bathroom. And I'm proud to say, she slept all thru the night.
The weekend has just been so easy, and fun. Lily loves to sing, dance, stand on her hind legs, and just be close to each of us. And when I say sing. I mean sing. Pull out the harmonica, no skills required, and she sings along.
I love it. And it's produced many giggles from a certain little girl over the weekend. Hello new party trick. (Lily doesn't mind at all - especially if you have treats).
Today, Monday, we went and got her stitches removed. She did great. Maybe I've just had way too much experience with a high maintenance dog for a while, but when the guy went to snip the stitches, she just looked at him and let him do it. No worries for this girl. She just goes with the flow. However, the waiting room was another story. She really wanted to get to the talking parrot the office has. The one that kept telling her "Hi. Hi there." What a little taunter he was… Haha.
Overall, I believe this is most definitely one of the best decisions we have made in a while. She has brought so much joy, fun and love to our little family in such a short period of time. She's definitely turning out to be a great sister to this old girl. Which just makes my heart swell.
The more I think about it. The more I begin to think that we didn't actually rescue Lily after all. I believe she's rescued us. And I thank God for that.
I think I cried throughout this entire blog post! Thank you so much for sharing and I will most definitely post this on the Boxer Rescue FB page. Thank you for adopting from a rescue!! -- Jeanne
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