The Babies - NOT an Obituary!

The Babies are Lionel and Daisy. A few years ago, my therapist and I decided I was doing really well, had worked through A LOT of issues (VERY hard work yet oh so worth it!) and was at a place where I could terminate with her. Under one condition: I get a dog. Because she was concerned about my ability to love something new, my ability to accept and to return unconditional love. Now, my ability to love those whom I already loved wasn't damaged at all. My ability to love someone new ~ tenuous at best. So, if I would get a dog, we could terminate. If I wouldn't, I had to keep dragging my butt into her office every week in order to keep an eye on this whole love-thing. After much thought and research, I decided a dachshund would be great. Being a rescue-type-o'gal, I started looking at dachshund rescue organizations. I even knew what I wanted: a dachschie between the ages of 6 and 8, already housebroken, located somewhere here in New England. Oh my goodness, were there some cute dogs out there and available. So cute.







I didn't send a single email of inquiry.




Then, one day, while scrolling through a national database looking for a single New England dachshund, I saw this picture. I remember saying out loud "there you are." They were 12 and 13. They were not housebroken. They were living in Virginia. They could only be adopted together. So much for youngish, housebroken, in New England and one. These were my babies.

So I finally sent a letter of inquiry. A lovely woman wrote me back, telling me that she could not hold dogs and that there were several other families interested in Lionel and Daisy but that she really liked my email the best so she hoped it would work out that we ended up together. At which point, their behaviour changed. When she took them on home visits, they started snapping. Or being shy. Or peeing Everywhere. Or something. After over a year of being perfectly behaved babies. The point is, none of the other families ended up wanting them. The lovely woman wrote and said "Pobble, I think they're waiting for you."

We met in NY state and they were mine from the minute she took them out of their travel crate. And I was theirs. Even she said she had never seen them react to anyone the way they reacted to me ~ even when they were being good before their adoption behaviour changed.

I've known from the beginning we were on borrowed time. Sure enough, my Daisy is getting sick. She is often confused, can't climb stairs and has slowed waaaaay down. There is a lot of whimpering and sleeping. Lionel is protective of her ~ but he is getting crotchety himself in his old age. Both their livers are failing and her kidneys are going. They have their bi-annual check up early next month. I'm expecting to have to make the hard decision. I know what it will be. I will hate it. Because they did what they were supposed to do. They reminded me how to keep loving. So, here they are, in all their glory. An excellent reminder to keep loving...






























Those are Pobble Thoughts ~ and Pobble Babies. That and a buck fifty will get you coffee.