We recently adopted our third rescue dog.

Our first was Molly, a sweet three-year-old, twenty-pound chocolate terrier with the hunting prowess of a full-grown Labrador retriever. She came from the Miami Animal Shelter. Oh, how she loved to run! On occasion, we’d take her to an empty field near our home in South River, NJ, and watch her go, flat out across the landscape. Ears plastered to her head, feet barely touching the ground.  Molly was with us for thirteen years.

Next came Lucy, a Shih tzu/Llasa apso mix. We spotted a picture of her on One Lucky Dog Rescue in Hialeah, FL. It was love at first sight. Like her sister, Molly, Lucy also had that hunting spirit. She chased squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, birds, and even the occasional trespassing kitty cat, until she learned through years of frustration she couldn’t catch any of them. Still, the thrill of the chase, I guess. She crossed the “bridge” very unexpectedly when she was just twelve. We were both broken by her sudden departure.

Flash forward almost a year. Hearts on the mend, we decided to start the adoption/rescue process, again. Rescue Atlanta, was having a fundraiser and meet-and-greet for foster dogs. I was drawn to a couple sitting on a sofa with a small white dog between them. He immediately stood up, wagging his tail. His foster mom said he’d be ready for adoption the next week. “Why don’t you sit down and get to know him.”

I did, and the rest is history. Murphy, a Bichon/poodle mix, came home the following weekend. I can’t say it was smooth sailing because a whole bottle of Resolve puppy carpet cleaner was needed, he ran out the front door twice with two senior citizens with bad knees chasing him through the neighborhood, and he had no clue what, “sit – stay – come – no” meant. However, he’s made huge progress in the past three months. Not only that, he’s the sweetest, most affectionate dog, ever. Not to mention the silliest! The uncertainty about his age makes it difficult to know how long he’ll be with us, but I can guarantee, the coming years will be filled with joy.

Thank you for rescuing, Mary Cunningham

Image Courtesy of Mary Cunningham