There is Always Room in Your Heart for Another Dog

A few months ago I wrote about a dear english bulldog named Murphy who crossed the bridge and the sadness all who loved her felt with her passing. I'm pleased to report Murphy's family have adopted a 5 year old bulldog they have named Bailey. The wrinkly guy is fitting in wonderfully with his new family and enjoying the fresh start he has with his new home. Sure he looks sad and mopey in this picture, but believe me, he's happy! If you know bulldogs then you know they just kind of look this way when not sleeping or eating or sleeping or ummm, sleeping. You will note how handsome Bailey looks in his Carter LeDeux Custom Collar from Lucky Fiona. Fiona figured with a new start in life Bailey needed a new look as well so she sent a collar as a welcome to your new home gift.

I've been greatly encouraged lately with people adopting and the general awareness that there are so many dogs in need of homes there is no reason to ever buy one from a pet shop. In addition to Bailey this past month alone we've had friends adopt a lab mix named Popeye, a wonderful client of ours adopt a little apricot poodle also named Bailey and of coarse the setter mix now named Obi I wrote about earlier this week. It's wonderful that both seasoned dog guardians as well as first time dog guardians are seeking rescue. Goes to show every color, shape, size and type of dog is out there just waiting for a home.

Before bringing Bailey home I know his new guardians had concerns they were somehow dishonoring the memory of Murphy by adopting another bulldog. I've had people relate this fear to me in the past and I always say the same thing...there is always room in your heart to love another dog. You just have to open your heart and let them in. There is no such thing as replacing a dog, you just find a space in your heart to build new relationships in and the dog will crawl right into that gap, perhaps walk in circles a few time and then plunk down forever. The love you will receive back from your beloved pooch is tenfold and nobody should deny themselves the opportunity to love a dog again. I truly believe the dogs we've loved and lost would want us to be happy with another dog, to keep the connection going. Bailey's new Dogmom immediately found a peaceful feeling in hearing Bailey snore like Murphy used to, it felt like a piece of their home was complete again. I think for folks that adopt the same breed as they have had before there is a magic in seeing some of the similarities as well as celebrating the differences that the untrained eye may never notice. It helps us hold onto a small part of the dog we once loved deeply when we see the little idiosyncrasies emerge in the new addition to the family. It was meant to be this way.

So welcome Bailey and Popeye and Obi...there are hearts just waiting to burst with love for you. Be sure to thank your new people for keeping them so open to you.