Our 10 year old is in Minnesota staying with her grandparents for five weeks, and while she is there, I like to write her letters by way of my blog. These are, obviously, open for everyone to read - I just prefer this style of writing.
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Dear Wendy,
Um. Guess what.
As I'm typing this, there is a dog in my kitchen licking the crumbs off the floor. HA! I know, right?
Oh boy.
You see, it happened like this:
Yesterday the little boys and I went for lunch at Mindi's house. (She lives right next door to your friend Maija). Also at the lunch were your Aunt Sue and our friend Liz who lives around the corner from Dennis and Julie. It was a bit of a crazy affair with lots of laughing and good eats.
Anyway - as we were leaving, the boys were playing with Mindi's dog, and I took this picture:
How can anyone help but smile, right?
Anyway. I posted the picture on facebook and mentioned that it scares me how close I get to reconsidering getting a dog when I see how happy the boys get - added to the fact that you've been plotting for one for years.
To which Auntie Sue responded that Bob and Tonya need to find a home for their Border Collie - QUICK!
I just didn't know how quick. I emailed Tonya at 5:01, right when I heard, to give me some more information on this Border Collie, because you know how I get when it comes to helping someone out. If a dog NEEDS a home, added to the fact that my kids want a dog - that's all the justification I need.
I got an email back from Tonya a few hours later saying that they brought Tippy (that's her name) to animal control at 5:00. I had emailed exactly one minute after. Weird, hey?
So I emailed animal control and said - HOLD THAT DOG!!!
And we were there right when they opened this morning. They were so glad that someone was coming for her, as they had all fallen in love with her right away. They let us right back into the kennel to see and meet her, but first they made sure we all had earplugs in our ears because there were a lot of dogs back there.
While a lot of the dogs were barking, Tippy wasn't. In fact, I haven't heard her bark yet. (There were a lot of tears, good-bye's and thank yous from all the workers at the shelter when we left with her - it's quickly easy to see that those people care about every animal brought in)
She got her rabies shot while we waited, and they gave us a dog license, and $37 later we have a new dog. We had to lift her into the back of the van to get her home, because she's older than you are (she's 12/13) and can't jump up that high anymore.
Once we got home, we brought her into the backyard and made sure the gate was shut tight, although I have a feeling she isn't going to wander too far. She immediately scouted out her new property, even wandering all the way around the garage.
I gave her a bowl of water and she sipped that right up, and I ran over to Danny and Dylan's house to borrow some dog food. She's been chewing on that a bit. I don't want to buy any until I hear from her previous owners - I figure we may as well get what she was used to. It'll also work out well because their old owners live just on the other side of town and maybe it'll be fun for the kids to bike over here and see Tippy now that they know she's here. I'm actually kinda hoping they'll come over and walk her/let her out when we go up north next week - but if they can't, I know we have a lot of neighbors to choose from that could help and plus, dad is hoping to work shorter days so he can work on some projects around here.
She needs a good brushing and a bath, but I'll give her a bit of time to get used to us first before I dump water over her head.
Right now - Brian is holloring out the window to Ada across the street, "ADA - WE HAVE A NEW DOG AT OUR HOUSE!!"
And Allan just woke up and said, Whoa...We got a dog? What's her name? Me: Tippy. Allan? Tipsy???
And no, she's not allowed sleeping in your room.
I don't think she'd like all those stairs.
I made a spot for her in the kitchen with the bed that came with her, but she seems to be liking the spot over by the sidedoor where all the shoes are. Maybe she's waiting for you to come home....
xoxo
Mom
Awww Sharyn... What a wonderful ending to what was sort of a sad story:) I am so glad you guys got Tippy and my mom will love the story too:) Do you mind if I copy and paste your note so I can send it to her? Or I could just forward the link to her. She will probably cry. She used to ask to go visit Tippy when they came here. Now, we can still do that:) Enjoy her and I am sure your boys are grinning. Every boy needs a dog!! Have a great trip up north, Sharyn, and thanks for all of the laughs yesterday ~ Liz
Posted by: Liz Pietila | July 13, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Oh my goodness -- you did it. As my mother always said "Don't come crying to me".
Seriously though -- I know your kids are delighted -- I hope they don't mind leaving to come and visit me. He looks like a great dog for Mark and Brian!
Posted by: Mom | July 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM
ok, you made me cry! you did a good thing Torm!! I hope all of you have wonderful, fun filled days with her!
Posted by: Deb Wisker | July 13, 2011 at 12:52 PM
awwwwwwww. so sweet. you're an awesome mom Sharyn. now i can't let my girls be seeing this.....spidergirl wants a dog in the worst way, but they make her really sick. :(
Posted by: taniawillis | July 13, 2011 at 12:59 PM
What a wonderful thing to do! We rescued our dog (who is part Border Collie) almost 3 years ago and I was always the one who was VERY hesitant to ever get one. Well, I can't imagine our house and family without him. You will seriously LOVE having Tippy around. : ) Good for you... and I wonder if Wendy will want to cut her vacation short now? LOL
Posted by: Tracey | July 13, 2011 at 02:01 PM
*sigh
I love a happy ending :)
Posted by: Susan | July 13, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Yeah! I'm so glad you did it!!!!
Posted by: sue Treiber | July 13, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Yes, I am so happy for you and your family. You will love having a border collie. We have an Australian Sheppard, the breeds are very similar. Tippy is going to love having your big family around her. Congrats I look forward to reading all of the stories you share about Tippy!
Posted by: Kelley | July 13, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Told my kids that everything happens for a reason and we have to have faith..and look what happened! We have enjoyed Tippy for 10 years and now its your turn with her! Our kids are getting older and busier and your boys are just right for her. All she needs is love and it looks like she will have all she can take! Thanks for getting her! Tonya
Posted by: Tonya Maki | July 13, 2011 at 04:07 PM
that will make that girl want to come home!! how sweet of you to give an old girl a new life.
Posted by: lin | July 14, 2011 at 07:49 AM
We love our border collie mix, though he is a bit more lively as he's only a year old. He is so loveable and he always looks like he has a smile on his face!
Looks like Tippy has the same "smile!" Have fun with your dog.
Posted by: Jan | July 14, 2011 at 10:48 AM