JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!

[aly]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh my goodness. I AM SO IN LOVE with this baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She fits in with us so perfectly too. My supervisor at work said I get first dibs on the dogs and I can take her if I want her. The thing is I am wondering if I should wait and get a dog that is hard to adopt. Willow has a LOT of interest and she should be a very easy adoption. I've been crying all day because I want her so bad, but if she has a good home lined up then maybe later down the line I can take a shelter reject that no one wants. My stomach is in knots about this. I WANT HER BAD! Ugh!

[jennifert]

Aly you are unbelievably kind! Do what you feel is right. With your big heart, any pup would fit into your life. How sweet of you to think of the "other" dogs who may not be able to find a home...Maybe someone special like you will have a place in their heart for this little sweetie...Like you said, she has a lot of appeal. I've said it before and I firmly believe, animals pick their owners at the right time and in the right place...I really can't help much since nothing I say can make you feel better. Just wanted to let you know that I continue to be amazed by the kindness and the generosity of some people's souls.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Aly, I think deep down you are a terrier person LOL. She is a sweetie, I think you should follow your heart, do what your heart tells you. In the long run you will know whether you should or not. Do the thing that I do, take the pros and cons and one of them will win out. Good luck.
Jackie

[RachelJ]

Originally posted by jennifert:
<STRONG>I continue to be amazed by the kindness and the generosity of some people's souls. </STRONG>

Me too, Jennifer. Isn't our Aly the dearest soul you ever knew?

Aly, on one hand a good mix among three dogs is hard to come by and this may be the one that would work. On the other hand, having a little extra space at your house for those "overnight or longer guests" is something that has served so many little strays so well. A few prayers and the right decision will come for you. Willow is precious. I can understand why you would want her.

Jackie, I do that pros and cons thing too. I just read Aly's post under "Sleeping on the Bed" and just wanted to make sure she listed that aspect about Willow under the pros.

[ December 29, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]

[aly]

It breaks my heart to write this so bear with me...

I woke up this morning hearing Willow's faint breathing because he head was laying on my shoulder. She sensed that I had opened my eyes, and she woke up and licked me on the face. I decided right there that she was mine. I took her into work in one of my dogs' sweaters and filled out the adoption papers. I called my landlord and they actually gave approval. She was finally mine. I was SO excited. I carried her around like a baby all day and she clutched to my arms and neck.

Then around 6pm a really nice 60 yr old woman and her 35 yr old daughter who lives with her came in. I saw them stop dead in their tracks and point at Willow who was in my arms. I sighed because I knew I was going to tell them that she is already adopted. They ran up to me and said they had seen Willow on our website and came 2 hours to see her. I kept trying to tell them that I had adopted her but it never came out. I told them they could fill out an application if they wanted to visit with her. I just said that without even knowing what I was doing. We were slow since it was getting late so I talked with them while they filled out the application. The mother had lost her toy fox terrier in October due to diabetes complications. She kept crying while talking about him and took pictures out of her purse to show me. Her daughter told me that she lost her Cairn Terrier in September due to old age. Also the older woman's mother died a day after their second dog died.

I went into a visitation room with them and told them about Willow and how special she is. I handed Willow to the older woman and Willow didn't even start to shake like she ALWAYS does when anyone but me gets around her. I am the only person she'll come to and the only person she won't shake and pant with nervousness around. But there she was in the woman's arms, very relaxed and not one single shake. While I was talking, her eyes kept closing and she was falling asleep she was so comfortable. I had to leave the room because my heart was falling into millions of pieces.

They came up to me a little while later and said they loved her. I told them they could take her home and they couldn't believe me. She kept saying "Are you sure???? We're not going to have to bring her back are we??" I counseled them on fearful dogs and they listened very intently. They wanted only the best for Willow. When we got near the end of the adoption, I bursted into tears and told them I had really wanted to adopt her. They both started crying and handed her back to me but I couldn't take her out of that woman's arms. They have my cell phone number and email address and promised to call me and bring her back to come visit me sometime.

That dog stole my heart and I'm so devastated. But when I came home tonight, Lolly seemed so much happier than she has been the past few days. I think both Lolly and Willow gave me signs that I did the right thing.

Willow is where she is supposed to be

[aly]

Now someone please make me feel better

[jennifert]

ALY, You did the right thing!! Poor girl, please listen, what did I say before, dogs chose their owners. Willow knew that you were there for her and she felt comfortable enough with your backing to love these women. And they need her more than you. You said it yourself... Sweetheart, I'm sitting her crying and my "boyfriend" is so angry with me for not coming to bed but I feel for you....I KNOW that you did the right thing Willow chose where she is neeeded the most. You can reason, she can't. She went with the most need. You are an angel on earth, I will always be amazed by your capacity for love. God Bless you! And curl up with your babies and go to sleep. Sweet dreams!!!!! :x

[AdoreMyDogs]

Aly, you have an angels heart and soul. Your parents did something right when they were raising you.

When Graham was first found as a stray, it was by a single mom and her two kids. They named him Brownie and they really wanted to keep him but the mom just felt that he would not have the best home with them, since she didn't have much money and she was so busy with those kids...and so with a heavy heart, she brought him to the shelter where I found him. He would have been happy with her and her kids, I know he would have been happy and his life would have been great, but truth is, I needed him more then anything in the world and I think the mom and her kids knew that he needed to be with someone more then he needed to be with them. I know all this because while I was at the vet with him about 2 months after I adopted him, I happened to see the woman and she immediatelly recognized Graham and began to cry as she listened to me tell her how much I loved him. I thanked her over and over for "letting her Brownie go" and, even though she was sad to see her "Brownie" again, she felt SO much better and she had closure when she saw me and Graham bonded to each other like super glue.

I think you did the right thing. I think Willow would have had an amazing life with you, but I think that woman really, really needed her. It's fate. I am sorry that you had to let her go, but you did the right thing, you sweet heart.

[jennifert]

I don't know if this is the right place to post my "story" but I will anyway because it's on my mind because of previous posts.... I had a shih-tzu puppy that was given to me as a gift. The cutest little furball in the world. I had him for 3 yrs. He had seperation anxiety so severe...He and I went to the vet's office once a week ( I have a fabulous vet, a young girl (Lisa Markham). We tried EVERYTHING! And yes I mean EVERYTHING!! I took a leave of absence from work, so did my mother, EVERYTHING! This poor baby could not be alone! My mother is VERY allergic to cats so that was the only thing we did not do! I spent thousands of dollars on this dog trying to help him...Nothing worked. The neighbors had called the police on us several times for his barking. Finally, we went to court. The judge gave us 1 week to get rid of the dog... We were hysterically crying as we paid the fine, knowing that he would have to be put to sleep. ( I know this may upset some of you but we couldn't take him to the pound, he was too cute. Someone would take him home and he would be upset when they left and they would either abuse him or bring him back! He was a "special needs" dog. I spent over $3000 a year on him and nost "ordinary" peole are no prepared for that....) I did not want him to become a "revolving door" dog! I wanted him to have a loving home like he had with us! And his medicine was over $35 a month because he also had severe allergies. AND he wasn't good with children. and my sis and her 2 girls both lived with my mom! ...Do you see what I mean... Not an easy dog But I loved him so.... Anyway, the baliff at the court loved him. We all loved him and still do. HThe baliff and his wife (the court clerk, I live in a small town) had 2 shih-tzus at home and adopted him!! I still send him b'day cards. He is so happy now. I won't go see him because I don't want him to remember me and break his heart but they send me cards to let me know how he is. They live literally, around the corner from my mother. Sometimes you have to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure happiness in someone else's life.........Human and animal.........

[jennifert]

Aly, I kind of got caught up in my own story after writing it and missed the point...You did the right thing in my humble opinion...It takes a stonger person blah blal blah.... Kisses and hugs to you...You are amazing!!!!

[aly]

Originally posted by jennifert:
<STRONG>Aly, I kind of got caught up in my own story after writing it and missed the point...You did the right thing in my humble opinion...It takes a stonger person blah blal blah.... Kisses and hugs to you...You are amazing!!!!</STRONG>

Jennifer you're so crazy. I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out but your post made me laugh at the same time.

Thank you guys for your support. It really helps me. I'm overly emotional in the first place and I am just a basket case right now. I'm going to call them in the morning because I forgot to tell them she won't potty while she's wearing her sweater. It hurts so bad to think about her. I got way too attached.

Leslie, I never knew you ran into Graham's previous owners. What a wonderful relief they must have had to see you with Graham.

[RachelJ]

Oh Aly, you have to go through so much pain, but you know that this was what was meant to be or you wouldn't have done it. You have so much good to do in the lives of so many dogs, even if it means your own personal sacrifice. I think you recognized that this was a good match and a good match isn't always easy to find. You did wonders for Willow in the time you had her and it is because of you that she was able to find her a forever home. I hope that you can find the satisfaction and blessing in what you have accomplished for Willow and her new guardians and that it will ease your pain.
Your mission in life is to be an Angel and as long as you can continue in that mission there will be sadness as well as joy. Please don't despair but see this as the successful placement of a deserving animal and a job well done. We are so proud of you we could burst.

Jennifer, I am so glad your story had a happy ending.

[ December 30, 2001: Message edited by: RachelJ ]

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh Aly, I am sooo sorry, that you can't keep sweet Willow! He looks soo much like Harley! Hugs and kisses!

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Aly, I'm sorry you had to let Willow go but maybe it's fate that she will be in a wonderful home with a Lady who will adore her and she will keep the older woman company after all the poor woman has gone through. Maybe something else is planned for you, another pup who won't be so lucky and will really need you more than Willow did.
We never know what is in store for us and we must take one day at a time. You give Reece, Lolly and Shiloh a hug and a kiss and be ever so grateful that you have them to love and be loved so very much. Tomorrow is another day. Hope you have a Happy New Year.
Jackie

[Karen]

Oh Aly, this is from Willow to you:

I was scared, so scared when you met me
I didn't know, not at all
What to do, what to say
I was scared, so scared, of everyone,
But you came, and I knew it'd be okay.

You took me home
How nice that was -
No scary shelter dogs or nosy people
You gave me love -
Now how was that?
How did you know I needed it?
How did you see beyond my scruffiness,
My trembliness, my shakiness,
Willows to tremble at the littlest breeze, you know,
How did you know that if you loved me
I'd learn to be okay?

And then she came, that nice lady,
And her arms fit around me -
Just as nice as yours do!
How strange was that that a second someone
Could know I needed love, know right away?
How nice her lap felt, so soft and comforting
And I knew she needed me
Just like I needed you, needed her.

But you will always have a place in my little heart
You might not know it, but it's big enough to fit you all,
And though you cried, you know I still love you
And you taught me it's okay
I can be safe
I can be calm
I can be brave and
I can be loved!
You taught me all that
And I love you,

And my new lady, she loves you too,
Because you brought us together,
And I'm happy here
And she's so nice
And she loves me, too!
How nice is that?
How strange is that?
All this love for little me!

Love you both,

Willow