Dog Adoption Discussion – Knowing What You Want
Have you given modern dog adoption processes much thought lately? I wonder what has changed since we adopted Lilly in October 2004. I am curious about one thing in particular.
Have you given modern dog adoption processes much thought lately? I wonder what has changed since we adopted Lilly in October 2004. I am curious about one thing in particular.
Cruising the local farmer’s market a few Saturdays ago, I stumbled upon a booth selling Origami Owl custom jewelry. Among other things, they sell see-through lockets and a variety of doo-dads / charms to go inside. I think it’s a perfect option for memorializing our canine soul mates, and I wish I’d known about it right after Lilly died in December 2013.
This week, I’d planned on writing an update about how Ginko is doing health-wise and without Lilly. I prepared to say he was doing OK with his heart and neurological issues. I intended to whine a bit about his ongoing senile barking. I planned to tell you that he does seem perhaps a little lonely without Lilly, but that he also smiles an awful lot. Then, seemingly out of nowhere Sunday, Ginko’s tummy had some serious, serious troubles. Fair warning, long post.
A few weeks ago, a 3-month-old puppy appeared in my Facebook newsfeed. Cue instant yearning — even though I’m nowhere near ready and she was about 900 miles away. I squealed. I shared her pix. My friends encouraged me. Adopt. Adopt. ADOPT, they told me. Something about her face called to me. Something in her eyes beckoned. I convinced myself it meant something.
Tuesday, June 17, marked 6 months since we lost Lilly. It’s a rough week for other reasons as well. Another dog writer friend of mine calls it “The Anniversary Effect.”
I am honored, humbled, and grateful to say that Lilly’s Fund reached 100% of our $3,343 goal in just 17 days. Thanks to the help of 36 donors (on top of the $693 we chipped in ourselves) we’ll be able to help a dog (or dogs) at our local veterinary specialty hospital.
It took me close to two solid days to gather and officially archive 9 years of photos and video of Lilly. I’m so grateful – now that she is gone – to have countless images of our life together. You’ll always find spontaneous moments to capture, but here is a short list of must-have dog photos and video.
I’m sure people wonder about our timeline on getting another puppy or dog. We’re not even thinking about looking until spring 2015. I’m announcing this in part to keep well-meaning folks from sending me links to adoptable dogs. It’s also a statement of faith that at some point in the future I won’t feel quite as grief stricken as I do today.
Sharing a lifetime of photos and video of Lilly, our dearly departed canine heroine. Approximately 5-minute tribute video for my Heart Dog — my canine soul mate — Lilly Elizabeth Hawn.
We threw together a quick 90-second video, showing how Lilly is doing 2 weeks since her most recent setback and 5 days since the ER run to find out why she was feeling so lethargic. Not bad for a puppy-girl who could barely walk 2 weeks ago and who refused to get out of bed last weekend.