Dixie and her Chicks

This a super amazing, true, but long story. If I were you, I would just go ahead and keep reading because it's not everyday that these things happen. Well, they do, but we are usually busy paying attention to other things going on in our heads, like what time our next meeting is, or what in the world to cook for dinner; but, that's not the point right now. Although, they do seem to be the kind of times when we just go ahead and add one more thing into the mix; like a getting a new dog.

This is a story about a dog, or rather two dogs who both happened to be named Daisy. Four years ago, I was in the midst of an intensive teachers certification program. I was working two part time jobs, raising my two kids, and going to school on the weekends. I had noticed our family stress level rising as if we had our hands whited knuckled on the steering wheel of life and living like we were on the Autobahn. Getting a puppy seemed like the perfect distraction from everything else that was going on in our lives. Besides, how else do you complete a "perfect" family? With a puppy, of course! That's when Daisy, our labradoodle was introduced into our mix. It wasn't long before she was a part of our life in the fast lane, at the bus stop, riding in the car, camping, sailing. Daisy was another child, but with four legs and curly white fur. When my former husband and I separated a few years ago, she went between our homes for visitation never missing a beat. But more than anything, she was my daugthers best friend. Daisy gave her the comfort she needed during that time. She let Julia dress her up for for the holiday's with reindeer ears at Christmas, she was green for the St. Patricks Day Parade, or on Pirate Day she was known as "Salty Dog" and wore skull and crossbone hankerchief around her neck. Daisy hung out in the forts Julia built and jumped off the side of the boat to swim with her. Daisy was the kind of dog a family or a neighborhood never forgets; she had people and dog friends alike.

Last fall, after we unexpectedly had to put her down. Her absense was blaringly obvious. She had brought so much joy and companionship to our lives, she was missed during every transition of our day. It took weeks to realize she wouldn't be at the door when we arrived home fron our day. I never expected to feel such significatnt loss for a dog or to feel such sympathy from my friends and family. They too cried for our loss. We missed her like crazy and decided shortly after she passed to begin looking for another dog in the spring.

Waiting is not easy for me. I started my search a little early, in January. I was able to contact Daisy's breeder in Kentucky and within a couple of days he was in touch. He had a puppy for me. As he looked into travel arrangements, I started to get nervous. Could I handle a puppy now? It's a lot of work. There is a financial responsibility to fulfill. Did I want to be tied down? Being a single parent was hard enough with two children and a full time job, nevermind a puppy. Then, I broke my foot and I was forced to say no. I knew there was no way on earth I could care for a puppy in that condition. Spending the money right then didn't seem like the best idea either. Terry, the breeder understood and told me he would let me know when he had more puppies. That's when several friends suggested I look into adoption. It's not what I thought I wanted to do, but I looked anyway, despite having some very specific criteria for my next dog. It was a good way to pass time while my foot was recovering. I found several dogs that had potential, but not one that felt right for us. And, "feeling right" is a big deal around here. I was beginning to feel defeated; but, I was willing to try just about anything to have a furry friend again.

One night shortly after attending a conference with Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, and other, similar motivational speakers and writers, I decided to do something different before I went to bed. I had been thinking about the weekend and the suggestions I had heard about using the Laws of Attraction. That's when I decided to make a request to the universe. I said a prayer like, but very specific intention to God, Goddesses, angels, my spirit guides, loved ones who passed, and anyone else who was listening... And yes, ok, I know you are probably thinking, she's a freak! But, stay with me, and remember, all I wanted to love and care for a dog again!

This is the intention, I said it out loud; "Please bring me a female labradoodle puppy to love and care for. It would be great if she was already spayed, less than a year old but closer to 6 months, is house broken, friendly, and loves children. And then, I threw in after thinking a second, "If she was free that would be awesome! Thank you for listening." Then I went to sleep and didn't think about it again.

A few weeks later, the breeder called me; he had another puppy. This, I thought, was my big opportunity. I sent him my deposit. In a few days , I emailed him to request recent pictures of the pup. That's when he told me the deposit hadn't arrived and someone else put a deposit down first. I could have cried. I began to envision my life without a dog. I was so sad and depressed about missing another opportunity. I figured it just wasn't the right time for me to have a dog. Things took a change last week. My sister, in Baltimore, texted me to say, a friend of a friend, on Facebook had a labradoodle puppy and was looking for a home for her.

Then she told me about her. "She is in York, PA. She's 6 months old, recently spayed, friendly, they are giving her away for free, and Guess what her name is?????....DAISY!!!!" Well, as you may imagine, I went into hyper text mode and I was soon in touch with Daisy's family. They were already in discussions with another family; but, as you know, when things are meant to be, they happen. In a couple of days, they were back in touch and told me they would love to have her come live with us. I drove down to York on Saturday, in a snowstorm to get her and bring her home.

As soon as she walked into my house she sniffed around like crazy and her ears perked up to every sound she heard, but within a few hours, I could tell she felt like she was home. We decided to call her Dixie. It would feel a little weird to call another dog Daisy. We thought it was similar sounding and we wanted her to have an easy transition into her new life here in CT and  show respect to her first given name. So, Dixie it is. There are no words to express the joy she has brought to us in just the short time she has been here. Life is soooooo good, and I am so thankful for the generosity of Dixie's first family and for the abundant love the universe has bestowed to us!