I crafted the perfect plan.
Remember, friends?
After having our sweet Macy put down in September, my family endured a long, lonely fall and winter.
The void in our home was so great, it was actually tangible. The silence? It was audible.
And all the lonely while, I crafted the perfect plan.
Taking everyone’s ‘druthers into consideration, I decided that a purebred Doberman Pinscher would be our next pup of choice.
His name would be Redd, a nod to Otis Redding and Red of The Shawshank Redemption.
We would find a well-respected breeder through an extensive search and visit his farmhouse estate in June, once school had let out and the weather had turned warmer and more pet-friendly.
We would select the pick of the litter and raise a show-worthy dog with an impeccable pedigree.
Yes. It was the perfect plan.
But…friends?
Guess what I forgot to include in the plan?
Compassion. And Love at First Sight.
My plan sprouted wings and flew right out the window
When my family and I were hit smack in the face by those two forces that make the world go ’round.
So we will not have Redd the Doberman come June.
No.
We have Gwen the Rescue Foxhound-Beagle Mix. As of this past Sunday.
And now, in retrospect, I’m quite certain…
No. Absolutely certain…
That the good Lord, in His infinite wisdom and with His ultimate sense of humor, chuckled at my folly
When I crafted the perfect plan.
Note: Gwen is a rescue from A Place to Bark. We cannot thank them enough for their tireless efforts. Please take a moment to read about them on their web page and to follow them on Twitter and Facebook. I received no compensation for writing this post. I just felt it worthwhile to share this wonderful organization with my readers.
Inspired by a post from Mama Kat’s Losin’ It.
What an adorable dog! I hope she does a great job of getting rid of that silence. Love the name of the organization: A Place to Bark sounds like a worthy organization to invest in.
It’s fantastic, Xiomara. You should check it out for sure.
Aw, she is just so sweet! Sometimes it’s more than okay when the perfect plan doesn’t work out.
Agreed, Ginny.
She’s gorgeous and perfect!!
Thanks, friend. Perfect for us for sure!
Sometimes things don’t go exactly according to plan, but they end up turning out just fine anyway. She looks so sweet and lovely.
Better than the plan, Kim.
CUTE!! I could read pet adoption blog posts ALL day long. He is so sweet. A doberman would be adorable too. You’ve got my stamp of approval! I have a feeling that’s what you were looking for.
Isn’t it funny that we didn’t even know that she’s what we wanted…until we saw her?
So cute!
You need to come and play sooooon!
Such a beautiful dog. Rescue is always a great choice.
Maggie, I think it’ll be the only way we do it from now on.
Aw, how sweet! Loved this story! We may be adding a new dog to our family soon as well! This was inspiring
Oooooh…Tracie…tell me about it when you do! And PLEASE check out A Place to Bark and places like it before you take that leap. xo
That’s a love – it’s in the eyes.
My plan was to never, ever, NEVER have a dog. Ever. Especially not inside my house – ewwww!
Well, as of 6 years ago I have a dog. Who one morning, after being at hour house for just a few days was waiting for me to open my eyes with his adorable little face right in front of mine – right on my pillow. I had already fallen in love with him before bringing him home. But that morning I realized I was in way deeper than I could have ever imagined.
I believe they’re taught that look by the rescue organization, yes? They ALL have it, that look.
What a sweetheart! I have always adopted my pets from shelters and rescue groups. There are so many unwanted animals out there in need of homes, I don’t see the point in going with a breeder.
You’re right, Amanda. NOW I get it.
Ohmygoodness…what a sweet pup. I’m so glad your “perfect plan” didn’t work out.
xo
Me too, Jen…me too. xoxoxo
ahhh, what a sweet post. Looks like to me you should be grateful that your plans fell through. kelley—the road goes ever ever on
Ab-so-LUTE-ly, Kelley.
Aw, this makes my heart swell. I’m so glad you once again have a doggy.
Thanks, girlfriend. And I owe you a visit. I’m so behind on life, it hurts.
can’t wait to meet her
And Gwennie can’t wait to meet Auntie Cathy! xo
Congratulations on Gwen! So happy that you adopted. A place to bark is such a wonderful establishment! Wishing you, your family, and new found pup years of happiness and laughter. Thank you for sharing your story
Thank YOU, Stephanie, for stopping by! Be sure to pop in every now and again to watch our story with Gwen evolve.
Congratulations !! Gwen is beautiful. And I can see that she is as happy as your family is. What a wonderful thing you have done. A new chance. A new life. The bad will soon be forgotten.
God Bless you for this. I wish you years of happiness together.
Thanks so much, Donna. After this experience, I believe we’ll only have rescue pets going forward.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for choosing to adopt & for spreading the word about ‘A Place to Bark’….together we CAN make a difference!
My pleasure, Lara. Bernie’s work really speaks for itself, but I do think it helps to have an extra cheerleader every now and again.
What a great rescue story and what makes it greater is that you adopted from “A place to Bark.”
What most don’t know is that this fine lady gives 200% of herself to rescue as many dogs as she can and get them to fosters to be adopted.
She should be up for some sort of award by the state of Tennessee for what she does. Many of us..the only way we can support her is thru donations, even if it’s only $10 a month. She desperately needs our moral support, our help if we’re in the area to help her, and the financial help to keep the doors open…rescue is a very worthwhile cause on the upside, on the downside it’s very expensive. Think about a place to Bark and give up 2 Starbucks a month..we can nearly all swing $10 a month!
Agreed, Bren. I’m hoping that Bernie will take me up on my offer for free, permanent ad space on the sidebar of my blog.
Congratulations on your newest family member. Bernie at A Place To Bark is an amazing woman. She rescued our beautiful Josey.
Awww…love hearing that, Rebecca! Gwen said to tell Josey hi.
Someone once told me that the way to make God laugh was to tell him your plans. I think that he laughed the day you decided on that Dobie pup and said “Just wait!” Bernie is one of the most generous and compassionate people that I know, and she never lets an animal go to their forever home without giving her heart to it first. You’ve got a little bit of her with you, and a whole lot of love in your home now in the form of 4 legs and a wagging tail! Congratulations on the addition to your family!
Exacly, Pam. And Thank you.
Thank you for throwing your “plan” out the window and making room in your heart for Gwen. The love bond between her and the kids is so sweet. She was just waiting for your family to find her. That’s what I call a reversal of fortune in the best possible way. Enjoy the love! Happy Forever Home, Gwen!
May you have many happy and healthy years together.
Thanks for the kind words, Gail. We love her to pieces!
Awwwww, how sweet! Congrats on her!
Thanks, friend. She is a blessing for sure.
What a sweet puppy!! Congratulations! We adopted our dog 2 years ago and I would never be able to go through a breeder now. Not now that I have seen that there are so many dogs who have been abandoned and are in danger oof being euthanized. If I could adopt them all I would! Haha. Your kids already look like they’re in love with her. So cute.
Thanks, Janelle…we love her to pieces. There’s just *something* about a rescue dog, right?
All of our dogs have been rescues and we have never been disappointed. Thank you for rescuing sweet Gwen! (or did she rescue y’all?!)
I have tears of joy in my eyes! This is just a lovely post. I love when a puppy is rescued and finds a home! Thank you for spreading JOY and sharing at the Oh What a HAPPY Day party.
Holly at Not Done Growing
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