Hi Dear Readers! I can’t believe we just passed Labor Day, the “un-official end” to summer! What a great summer it was! Our family had a wonderful season, with fun and relaxing days spent gardening, going on day trips, going to movies and conventions, and having far-away family visit us! On top of it all, we added a new furry family member! Welcome, Bell! Come meet the pup who has stolen all of our hearts, fitting in just right!

I hope you all had a nice summer! Our family had one of the best summers ever, and adding to our little family circle was like the cherry on top! I’d like to introduce you to our little baby girl, Bell! 

The last pup we previously adopted was our baby boy, Trooper, four years ago next week. Trooper is now eight years young, and loves his ten-year old “big” sister, Scarlett, and nine year old “big” brother, Odin, but after our little elderly chihuahua, Pip, passed away a few years back, we always felt he missed having another “little” buddy. Every time he saw another small dog on a walk, he got so excited. We also all wanted another little pup as we all love to cuddle him (our big dogs love to lay next to us, but neither are super cuddle-in-your-lap dogs).  We were always teasing each other as to who got to hold Trooper!

We weren’t actively looking for a new dog, but were keeping our “feelers” out, figuring the fall would be a great time to adopt. We had certain factors we would love to find in a pup – small, like Trooper’s size, scruffy (who doesn’t love a scruffy pup), not a puppy but young, friendly to all…and a pup who really needed some love.

I follow several rescue pages and local pounds on Facebook, including our favorite rescue group, where we have been repeat adopters. Several times, I sent my husband and daughter profiles of pups needing a home, but none instantly grabbed all of our hearts like the day we saw Bell. 

One day in August, on Facebook, a photo popped up on my newsfeed of this sad little face, with big ears and warm, brown cow eyes. She was scruffy, with a white “skunk stripe”, like a mohawk on the top of her head. We all knew instantly she was “the one”, and she checked all the “boxes” of what we wanted and more. On top of it, her name given to her at the shelter was “Bell”, which has a special meaning to our family in several ways. My husband said it was a sign, and told me, “Go get our baby!” 

The shelter, now only open certain days and times, is a two-hour drive each way, and I really wanted someone to go with me. Luckily, my daughter arrived home early that day from work, so we jumped in the car and off we went!

Even with GPS, I took a wrong turn, so we arrived twenty minutes after the shelter opened. One couple was ahead of us, and one family was already inside. We felt relief when we added our name to the sign-in sheet out front and were the only ones there to see Bell! 

When it was our turn, they greeted (and remembered) us. Excited for us to meet Bell, a shelter volunteer led us through the large facility, and my heart broke. So many dogs of all ages, all breeds, all sizes were at the shelter. It’s a nationwide epidemic – homeless, unwanted, and dumped animals. This shelter is so clean and the volunteers work so hard there. I give them credit for all they do, but there are so many dogs in need of fur-ever homes that their work is never-ending. As we walked through, I had butterflies in my stomach because I was so excited to meet Bell. Finally, in a large, gated cubby, there she was. Bell was so sweet and had the most pleading, loving eyes. When the volunteer let me in to meet her, Bell immediately wanted a cuddle and to be picked up, snuggling into me so gently and affectionately. It took literally no time at all for me to say “Yes, we want her!” Fastest. Adoption. Ever. 

We headed to the front, took care of the paperwork, and had our photo made with our new baby. As we were leaving, the volunteer said, “See you next time!” I laughed and said that now I have a full house, and she giggled, “See you in a few years”. She’s right. In seventeen years, Bell is our FIFTH adoption from them. The volunteers work tirelessly saving these precious lives, and our lives have been changed for the better, in so many ways, because of them. My husband and I wanted a housefull of children, but we were blessed with our amazing only daughter, so we also have fur-babies.

Once in the car, Bell transformed. She knew she was being adopted! She smiled and snuggled, kissed us and wagged her tail so hard, we thought she’d fly! It was instant love for my daughter, too. She was so good in the car, giving us kisses and looking out the window, and sometimes taking a little snooze, warm and cuddly in Audrey’s arms.

On the way home, I stopped to run into a store for a new collar, leash, her own toys, a tag with our address on it, and a new, fluffy bed. She was so excited, like she knew it was all for her. She was going home.

Introducing her to the “pack” was the easiest transition ever. She fit right in. Scarlett thinks Bell is her little puppy – always doting on her and licking her. Bell and Odin are also buddies – they love to play and get the zoomies together around the house. And Bell and Trooper? They are besties – wherever there is one, there is the other. They are like “Salt and Pepper”. When we took Bell to our vet for a “welcome” check up, she even marveled at how we had only adopted her just a few short days before. She already was so attached and trusting in us. Bell makes my heart melt. 

I will never understand how anyone can be cruel to a dog, or “dump” it. Things in life happen, I know, but no matter what, there are way better options people can take. Just dumping a dog is the most heartless thing I can ever imagine. My baby Bell was previously dumped, found in someone’s chicken coop in the hot, southern summer, nursing her newborn puppies (the pups were also adopted, and the shelter spaded her before putting her up for adoption). 

All of my rescue pups “know” they were rescued. They are so happy, loving, and appreciative. New toys, new adventures…they love life! Our fur-babies are family, and their well-being is our priority. We will spend every minute of the rest of their  lives making sure they know they are safe, cared for, and ever so loved – and the love, happiness, and companionship they give us in return is priceless!