Thus my life changed September long weekend in 2005.
My new special humans (Mom and Dad) had bought a
puppy from my breeder about 9 years before, named
"Minnie" and they decided to go back for an older
dog to adopt and love. As sadly, they had just put
down their elderly dog "Snoopy" because he was very
sick with cancer, and they had him for 17 wonderful
years. "Minnie was so lonely without him like they
were.
They called my breeder and asked if she had any
older dogs for adoption? They wanted a Cockapoo and
I was available. My new Mom and Dad with "Minnie"
came to my place and took me on a long ride back to
Edmonton. I did not understand what was happening,
but they kept talking to me and petting me and
telling me it was okay.
When we got to their place, they let me out of their
vehicle and took my leash off. I tried to run, but
every where I went a fence stopped me. They had been
told to not let me run loose, or I would try to get
back to the farm. They were also told they must have
a secure fenced yard, so I would be safe from danger
or they would not have been able to Adopt me.
Then they brought me into their house and every
thing was so new and strange? I walked all over and
finally that night was happy when my new Dad told me
come up on the bed. "Thank Heavens, I can still
sleep on the bed", was my thought as I tried to
relax.
But I was feeling so LOST.......................
"Where was the farm"? "Where was the only human I
had ever lived with"? "Where was the other dogs that
I had grown up with and lived with"? "WHERE WAS
I"???
My new Mom phoned my previous owner and asked many
questions, which she was happy to answer. How do
they get me to pee? By then I had held it for 24
hours!!! They were told eventually I would have to
go, but truthfully, I was afraid of the other dog's
scent on the grass as it was NOT MY TERRITORY and I
was afraid to leave my scent in another dogs
territory.
I loved to be outdoors on the farm, but would run
for the house after peeing here in the noisy,
frightening city. My new Mom again asked for advice
and was told to offer me treats and leave the door
open to the house. I would sit outside and she would
give me a treat for doing so, but then I would run
for the house. It did not take very long though and
and now I will stay outside and enjoy the sunshine.
I have been at my new home for almost three years,
and when I go for a walk, and the cars go by I still
get nervous, but Mom is with me and I know she will
keep me safe.
Some people will change a dogs name when they Adopt
them, but my new owners said My name was "Fancy" and
it would stay "Fancy". I was so glad as I already
had too much to get used to, and did not need the
stress of trying to figure out answering to a new
name? I knew who I was, can you imagine if they had
started trying to get me to come with another,
strange, unknown name???
My new Mom talked with me and worked with me,
petting me and getting me used to her. I bonded
within a month with her, but it took longer to bond
with my Dad and Mom's Mom, my wonderful Grandmother
who lives with us too. Now I love everybody in the
house. Mom took 10 days off from work, and slowly
went away for only 20 minutes at a time and left me
with my Grandmother. That way, Grandmom and I had
our own special time to Bond with each other. After
awhile, I knew that Mom would come home after going
out and I slowly lost my fear of missing her
terribly.
The other dog, wonderful "Minnie" my new owners
doted on, died suddenly in January 2006, and I was
so lost being the only dog in the house. They did
not know that their dog was sick with a heart
condition until November 2005. My owners were very
sad and cried a lot, but they were so happy to have
me to hug and love. They talked about what to do,
because I was as lonely as they were.
In February 2006 a new little puppy came into my
life and I became her dog Mommy. YES, I got to see
my former owner when that happened. And I was pretty
excited to see her, but then I let her know that I
did not live with her any more and went to stand by
my now, Mom and Dad. Then 4 months later another
puppy came into the household. I am still dog Mom to
both of them, even though they are older now. I come
and tell my human Mom when the puppies are doing
something bad, like the time they got into the
garden and were covered in mud. I protect them both,
and still wash their eyes for them.
I am so glad my new Mom and Dad took me into their
home, even though I was an older dog. I have a good
home and am so loved and can give so much love back.
They are so happy to have me in their house.
My story is this, an older dog can give you as much
love and joy as a puppy. I am so glad they were
willing to Adopt me as a 6 year old. I am Blessed.
And in my super new home I even get
presents at Christmas Time
And the best thing about my new home?
I get to use my Mom for a comfy place to sit
I love my Mom
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We are so happy to have Fancy
in our family, and will love her until her time on
earth is over. We had a great experience Adopting an
older dog, and we would do it again.
There are so many older dogs who need a home, and I
want you to think about Adopting an older dog!!! If
you will open your heart to an older dog they will
give you more love because you accepted them even if
they were older. (And like with our Fancy, older
dogs are House Trained and past that crazy Puppy
Stage of life) Fancy's
Mother, Gaylene
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