It takes a while to bring in another dog to your family after you have lost one. Ellie was a tough act to follow and, to be honest, I was really not sure whether I was ready to get another dog, let alone a puppy.

We are a family of dog lovers, and each of my kids have looked forward to bringing a dog into their own lives. About 2 months after Ellie’s death, my youngest daughter found an ad on Kijiji; 10 puppies looking for homes. The couple who posted the ad are cattle and horse breeders, living just outside of Winchester, Ontario, who decided to try their hand at breeding their lovely Border Collie and Scotch Collie-Border Collie mix.

With much thought, my daughter Maddie decided that it was the time for her to bring a puppy into her life. She made an appointment and travelled to the farm to meet the puppies and the owners. A short visit turned into 3 hours, with her calling me later that evening with pictures of 3 potentials. She adds, “are you interested, they could grow up as siblings, what do you think?” “Oh god, I don’t know, they are so cute. Geez, do I?” That would mean two puppies in the family and I’m not sure I’m ready for a dog, let alone a puppy.

I’ve had 4 dogs in my life, 2 puppies, Border Collie/Lab mix and two seniors, one Scotch Collie and one Pointer/Corgi mix. I understand high energy, working dogs, which these puppies are.

You dog lovers out there know, puppies are a lot of work. It’s like having a baby. And those little needle teeth, the toys everywhere, the sleepless nights, the training. But then there’s that puppy breath, the puppy smell, the puppy snuggles, and that day when they actually make it around the block with you, they sit, high five and fetch their favorite new toy. And, then there’s that moment, when you’ve had a really bad day, a long and challenging day, there’s no one home but you and the dog. You unlock the door and make your way in and there’s that face that is sooo glad to see you, to give you kisses and sit by your side. They are anxious to go for a walk because they want to spend time with you, to hang out with you, because you are their world. When you receive bad news, are upset or feeling under the weather, they know it, and come to cuddle up and give you support that effects every level of your being. They see you, the real you, and accept all of you. I do believe that any dog that is in your life, in any capacity, is there because you are their charge.

**

From what Maddie has told me, the breeder has done a good job caring for this dog family and she is very selective as to who the puppies will go to, being very aware of each of their developing personalities and what type of home would best suit each of them. A couple will be adopted by cattle farmers in the area looking for a herding dog for their farm, with the rest going to meticulously vetted forever-homes. My daughter commits to giving her answer in a couple of days, so she has a lot to think about.

Within the week the decision is made. She sends a deposit. His name will be Sunny.

Sunny will be ready to start his new adventure in about 3 weeks, when he is 8 weeks old. Before then, he will have been taken to the vet for a checkup and first shots. Maddie asks me if I’d like to come with her to pick him up. That will be wonderful, and those 3 weeks will give me some time to consider whether I’ll bring one home too.

Over the next 21 days I am waffling back and forth. I know that I will eventually have another dog, but I’m just not there yet. It’s too soon for me. On the other hand, I will have a “grand dog” – the best of both worlds – and that works for me.

It’s been about 1 month since I went with Maddie to pick up little Sunny. 9 lbs then, he is now 20 lbs of fun. He sleeps over at my house a few times a week, has already been camping and tubing, down to the beach with us, in our pool with a couple of dog friends, and will eventually become the Salon Dog at my hairstylist-daughter’s work. A few weeks ago, I dropped him off at the salon, where he immediately settled in, following the assistants around, greeting the clients and sitting on their knees as they had their hair washed. Head massage and some puppy love. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Sunny has settled right into his new life with my daughter and our family, and I have felt a little lift from the grief I have felt over the past few months. He’s brought a ray of sunshine into my life, a bit of clarity, and filled my heart with some joy that I’ve desperately needed after losing Ellie. In the short time he has been in our lives, he has reminded me of the importance of love, self care, time management, boundaries, consistency, presence, and infusing joy into each moment.

He can be a little monkey though, “90% joy and 10% gremlin”, I say. Particularly during the witching hour beginning around 8pm, with a few rounds of the zoomies, just before he stops for a moment and passes out for the night. He is a sock bandit, he loves a good coaster, or a flip flop, and he is dangerously smart. He will walk, sit, lay down. He’s started that instinctual herding. He will give you a high five and come most of the time. Not bad for 11 weeks old.

It’s a pleasure to watch him settling into his forever home and his forever family. I feel blessed and I know Ellie would approve. I’ve caught Sunny on a couple of occasions barking at the air and I wonder if Ellie has come by to check in and give him some pointers, to keep an eye on this new family, now his own. 

To read more about Ellie, Sunny’s mentor from afar, visit my Blog Post titled My Girlie