Quote Originally Posted by Rachel
Now that you have surprised us to such a degree, how about letting us in on (as they would say) the back story.
Well lets see.....When I was a little girl I always watched Lassie. Of course I wanted a collie! When I was a grown up I knew I would not do well at keeping up with such a long coat so decided that a collie probably wouldn't be the best breed for me for that reason.

THEN....I joined PT in June 2003 where I discovered ParNone and her beautiful smoothie Oz. What? I said. There are Smooth Collies?! Off I went to do some searching at AKC and various sites. While searching I found Janna's website for SPIRITWIND COLLIES who at the time was living in Ohio. Fell in love with all of her Collies but especially her smooth boy, Zack. Kept tabs on her website and then what happens? Janna joined Pet Talk later that year! I think I pm'd and emailed her a few times always letting her know how beautiful I thought her collies were.

THEN...I discovered not long ago that she was retiring Zack and he was available to a pet home. I thought about it for awhile but quickly jumped at the chance. We made arrangements and one Saturday I was supposed to go pick him up, BUT I wound up stuck and having to work that Saturday. Then my car broke down and was in the shop for a week and then various other things started falling apart around me. Eventually I lost my job. I just felt like everything was telling me that I shouldn't go get him. I didn't think I could be financially responsible for him.

THEN...Janna made a few posts with pictures here at PT and it made me so sad because I wanted that boy so bad. That was when I pm'd Janna and told her my situation and about the financial part too and how much I still wanted him. She let me know that she would be giving him his yearly shots that week and that he wouldn't need to be vetted for another year and that if things didnt work out financially or with my girls that all I had to do was bring him back to her. That was it. I said I WANT HIM! I just felt like it was meant to be. Janna said she just wanted him to have a good loving pet home and be spoiled and loved and I knew that home was here. So I think it was 2 days later and I was off to NC to pick up my boy. Used a bit of my savings and cashed in a bunch of change for the gas money. Things are going really well and I'm happy. I'm confident that my spousal support and unemployment will kick in soon (I hate the waiting game ) and that I will also have a job soon.

Hmm, I think that sums up the back story of the whole thing...lol. Sorry to be so windy about it. That is me! Always writing novels...lol. I really feel like getting Zack was meant to be and he has brought me happiness and a sense of peace. I hope that makes sense.

Thanks for asking, Rachel.