It’s been two and a half years since we lost our 16-year-old terrier mix, Molly, and more than two years before we even considered adopting another dog. We’d casually talk about it but, just over a week ago, I announced to my husband that I was “putting the word out” to various pet rescue sites.
A few days later we saw the picture of a little black and white puff ball named Gigi. For whatever reason, her owner abandoned her at a Pets Mart. I choose to believe this person simply couldn’t take care of her and thought, what better place to leave a dog? Surely some kind soul would take care of her.
Lucky for Gigi and lucky for us, 1 Lucky Dog Rescue picked her up, got her shots up-to-date and groomed her for what might be a long adoption process. Not so. The moment we spotted the picture that a friend posted on my Facebook page, we knew she was the “daughter” we’d waited for.
Oh, but getting her wouldn’t be that easy. First, she was in South Florida! Logistics were against us, but fate intervened. A rescue transport volunteer just happened to be driving to the Atlanta area the next day! Within 48 hours of seeing her picture, we had a new member of the family. We decided that, although the name Gigi is cute, it just didn’t fit, so she is now, Lucy. Like the Beatles song, she’s our diamond. 
WOOF promotes adoptions and rescues. Please do your part and help dogs like Lucy find good homes. You won’t regret it. If you don’t believe me, just look at these pictures. Who could resist? And, please, if you're thinking of getting a furry friend for your family - ADOPT!
Mary Cunningham Books - Award-winning books for 'Tweens!
It's official. The new resident of the White House and the Obama family is Bo, a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin' senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
A secret meeting apparently took place six weeks ago, and Bo (formerly known as Charlie), was a perfect little gentleman. He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toileting errors and did not gnaw on the furniture.
The Obamas have long said they wanted a rescue dog. But the carefully bred PWDs almost never end up in shelters. Bo had been living with another family, but it wasn't a good fit, so the Kennedys acquired him for the Obamas.
As for the rescue pledge, the Obamas came up with a solution intended to lend a serious symbolic note: They're going to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.
Guess I'm gonna cut them some slack. No, they didn't go to the local shelter and choose a dog the way we did, but then I'm not (nor is my husband) President of the United States. And, they did sort of "rescue" the dog from a home that wasn't quite right.
So, welcome to the White House, little Bo! What's your opinion?
Here's a link from my previous blog. To find a pet rescue shelter close to you click
here.
Read full story from TODAY MSNBC.
Our adopted "daughter" Molly - in Maine watching Dad leave shore without her!
She adopted us when she was about 3, at least that's the age we were given by the Miami Animal Shelter. Her first "mom" had died and a neighbor brought Molly into the shelter because there were no relatives to take her. Lucky us.
We'd been considering getting a dog because my husband traveled during the week and he knew I was getting a little lonely. Having always been dog lovers, a small, older pet was our first option.
He missed Molly on his first trip through the shelter, but on a second trip (he felt compelled to give one more look) past the cages of older dogs, there she was; sitting dignantly behind two barking German shepherds. Ken asked to meet her and the rest is history; love at first sight.
Molly left us last October 10, six months to the day. We had 13 years with her, and if we'd had our druthers, we'd have 13 more.
But, back to the picture above. We were visiting dear friends in Maine who lived on a gorgeous lake. The first morning, we got up smelling coffee and welcoming the fresh Maine air; that is until Molly chased a skunk under an outbuilding and returned wearing her own "special scent."
Our friends told us that the "special scent" remained in their home for several months. Fortunately, our friendship has lasted a little longer than that...over 20 years!
I'm sure, in this little tribute, Molly would want me to add a
link to the wonderful places that shelter dogs and cats until they find a good home, so here's a list state-by-state. If you want to add a link for your favorite pet adoption shelter, please leave a comment.
Here's to you, Molly Girl.
xoxo, Mom
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It’s been two and a half years since we lost our 16-year-old terrier mix, Molly, and more than two years before we even considered adopting another dog. We’d casually talk about it but, just over a week ago, I announced to my husband that I was “putting the word out” to various pet rescue sites.
WOOF promotes adoptions and rescues. Please do your part and help dogs like Lucy find good homes. You won’t regret it. If you don’t believe me, just look at these pictures. Who could resist? And, please, if you're thinking of getting a furry friend for your family - ADOPT! 
Mary Cunningham Books - Award-winning books for 'Tweens! 
Bo is precious! What a cute little face. Keep telling hubby I need a dog, and he grumbles something about "you know you are allergic," so I just love everyone else's.
I think there will be plenty of opps for the Obama's to support the rescue causes.
Another great supporter of rescue dogs (Bassett Hounds) you should check out http://tomschreck.com He has raised over $7000 with his Duffy Dombroski Mystery series.
Http://karensyed.blogspot.com
A true rescue dog would have been nice, IF there had not been allergies involved. I think the Obamas did the best they could to accomodate their daughters, and their donation probably helped more than one homeless puppy at a shelter somewhere. Good job!
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Karen, Bo is hypo-allergenic, so tell hubby one just like him would be perfect!!
We had a Bassett hound named Wilbur. He was a sweetheart.
I agree, Gayle and Karen. They did what they needed to and helped where they could. Thanks for stopping by!
俗語說:朋友做到死 金錢甭提起 就是友情才會長久之意，我個人不會跟人借錢當然也不會隨意借錢給他人 即然言明是借錢就是要還錢 。
I think Bo's great, but water dogs don't often like to let their people swim for fun, just a trivia point a newfoundland owner told me once.
And Karen, PWDs like Bo and Greyhounds are hypoallergenic...so tell the hubby the excuses are dwindling - pets are good for your heart too!
Regan
http://www.regansrealm.blogspot.com
So, Regan, are you saying that if Malia and Sasha are swimming, Bo will jump in and try to "rescue" them?
See, Karen, there are no more excuses! The Obama's decided on a PWD because of Malia's allergies.
(I'm just sayin')
I'm glad they have a dog. But, oh, would it have been so horrible to let the breed choice slide and stick with the shelter plan? I think I might rather have seen them become flexible going in the direction of a shelter dog that might have ended up being a perfect mutt. I know what that would have done for adoption at shelters...now watch how many people will pay out the nose for the breed instead. Oh well.
That was my first thought too, Julie, but then I thought about poor Malia and her allergies.
Guess it's better that both girls can enjoy and love Bo rather than one having to avoid him.
Let's hope their contribution saved lots of dogs and cats!
Amen to that! Mary.
I would rescue a million dogs if I could.
I am currently working on notecards for the Southern States Rottweiler Rescue!
I have designed the cards with my girlfriend's art! She was a great lover of animals and died of cancer! What better way to put her art to good use. She's smiling in heaven!
www.SSRR.org
Talk about a breed with issues! Our Zena is the most precious, kind dog but people see her and freak out! (size and bad press)
Many end up in kill shelters!
http://homeatlastwithpatty.blogspot.com
www.HomeAtLast.net
You do your friend great honor, Patty! I'm sure she's smiling down on you and on Zena.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
I think he's cute too! Not a traditional "rescus" but apparently he still needed a new home! I'd never really heard of this breed before.
He's cute!!!!
Thanks for visiting, Mayra. I agree! Looks like he'll be a hand full, though. I just hope people don't go out and buy the dogs just because the first family has one.
He's a really cute dog. One thing I think is great about his pick is that this is a breed I'd never heard of, so the Obama's are introducing a lot of us to a new breed of dog. Plus, he works for Malia's allergies.
Helen
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Thanks for the comment, Helen! I admire them for all the investigating they did considering Malia's allergies.
It would've been heartbreaking if they'd gotten a dog she was unable to be around.