Duke

He wasn’t my dog; 10 years ago we adopted him from a shelter, for my husband. I wasn’t supposed to fall in love with him, but I did! He would follow me around and he would lay at my feet, if I was sad he was sad with me. When I got sick he showed genuine concern. If I was afraid he protected me, if I dropped something or he thought I was hurt he’d come running to make sure I was okay. He was my best friend. He died with his paw in my hand. I miss him terribly and I cry almost daily because he is gone!

A few weeks ago, as I was crying about Duke’s passing, yet again

Phillip came to hug me and as he held me he asked me if I wanted to have another pet to help me out of my grief and keep me company. I immediately said NO! I just couldn’t imagine myself with any other dog, but Duke. Phillip told me that he knew there would never be another Duke, but he thought it would be good for my broken heart if I had a new friend.  He put his plan into motion and found what he thought would be the perfect breed for me. Something small yet active to motivate me to get back up and outside as much as I am possibly able; EOS makes that difficult sometimes.  Phillip chose a Min Pin!! He spoke to his SIL (her brother and niece are veterinarians and breeders of  Miniature Pinschers) and told her how sad I’d been and that he was interested in a Min Pin pup, if he could talk me into having one.  I still was not 100% on board.  She said she would help him find one.

Fast forward to this weekend.  Phillip received a phone call from his brother inviting us over for BBQ and birthday cake! My birthday was last week and so was his wife’s.  We arrived and there he was! The tiniest, little thing I had seen in a long time! He was fast and furious! And he was mine if I chose so! I found myself smiling and laughing as I held him and felt his tiny warmth snuggling up against my neck.  I needed that! I had just cried my makeup off on the 30 minute drive to my in-law’s house! The night went on and I found myself being entertained by this little pup! He would run here and there and bark and growl like he was of massive size! He was adorable AND I was smiling!!

I’m sure you can guess what happened next. I opened my heart and Phillip opened his wallet!  There is more to this story you see; as fast as his wallet was opened it was closed! Phillip and I were told that this pup was a gift to me from my SIL and her veterinarian brother. She has had shared my story of loss and grief with him and he wanted to make sure I had a pup!

I brought him home and as a family we named him Bruce! Of course we call him Brucie!I am so thankful to all my family and friends that made this possible. Especially to my new friends who traveled 4 hours to pick Brucie up from the breeder and then 5 more hours to bring him to me.  Even people I didn’t know cared enough for me to do what they could to help me find some joy again. God is good! He knows what we need even if we don't!