My love affair with fur babies started as a child with our family pets, first a black and white Boston Terrier that we dearly loved and lost at age 5 doing what she loved the most, running free. Our family was in great grief when my brother convinced Mom and Dad we needed another dog to help heal our grief and be a companion. Enter black and white Beau (Brummell) who lived an incredible 17 years and brought so much happiness!
Somewhere along the line I fell in love with a black lab named Cleopatra, pet of a then boyfriend, and always wanted one from then on. Finally in 2003 came regal Baron! When I met him at age 3 weeks and put him on my shoulder, he made what I would come to call his “Mommy groan,” and I knew he was ours.
We got Baron at age 6 weeks, and he tried to climb out of his box as I took him home, showing his first signs of being a “Marley” dog. Remember the book and movie “Marley and Me?” First came the gated area, then the crate, and finally dog training at 3-6 months! At 6 months we left him crated for our first outing! Upon our return home, I looked for his 6-foot leather leash which I had left on top of his enclosed kennel, and all I found was 2.5 feet and the clasp! He had somehow managed to chew 3.5 feet into 1-inch pieces! The vet said to give him pumpkin and it worked! (Friendly tip if you need to get something moving). Baron was a such a handsome, beautiful boy with his dad’s coloring and his Mom’s build and short legs! (Check out the pics). He loved playing frisbee with his Dad and just hanging out. His favorite activity with Mom was going for car rides and looking at the Christmas lights. He lived an awesome 14 years.
I have told Bo’s story in previous blogs. A recap: Molly, a dear young animal lover, texted me about this incredible black and white lab mix at a local shelter, and after God and Baron bugged me to see him, of course, he came home with me! Within the first hour, he had bonded with Dad, but it took longer with me. Bo suffered from PTSD, especially during thunderstorms, July 4, and in the nite. It took a long time to help him attach. The turning point came when we took him on a 1900 mile road trip with us and FINALLY, bonding with Mom! The last few months of his life, he wanted to be with us, to be close to us, all the time. I believe pets know when it is their time to get ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge. He was ailing for only about 10 days and declined rapidly in 2 days.
Again, my heart was broken! I tried to wait to look for another fur baby, but Bo appeared to my friend Janie in meditation and said he would soon send another dog to us. And friends Steve and Diane Wolfe found another fur baby soon after losing their beloved Simon and that was a sign to me to go ahead!
On our 17th wedding anniversary, we went to the AZ Animal Welfare League after making a Meet and Greet appointment online. In her online pictures, this little black lab/corgi mix with a white blaze on her chest looked huge. So when this doggie with a lab body and corgi legs came trotting out with a smile on her face, and immediately greeted me, then Don, with kisses and affection, my heart melted.
This past week has been adventuresome with Bella antics daily! Out the front door, 2x and being found at our door waiting for me, learning not to lick, how to walk on a leash, and how to stay has been demanding, but she is the most loving, affectionate, joyous fur baby I have ever had. She loves riding in the car with the windows down. She loves all humans, other dogs not so much. Her separation anxiety is HUGE and will take time.
But as one of my spiritual teachers once said, the animals have come to love us unconditionally, to be our companions, and help make our burdens lighter. And to bring us JOY💝🐱🐴🐶
BLESSINGS UPON YOU AND YOUR FUR BABIES!
Carolyn
PS: Please share YOUR fur baby stories, including pics!
