Meet Oliver, Ollie, Oligurrr, sometimes Smalliver. He’s three months old as of this photo. We lost our 15 year old German Shepherd/Border Collie December 2021, almost a month shy of her 16th birthday. It was a hard blow and the shittiest Christmas I’ve ever had. I still can’t think of her without tearing up. I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to welcome home another dog. One day I found myself browsing through Petfinder (a website that lists all the animals available in rescue shelters), and I found the perfect dog. A black flat coated retriever named Cammy, and I fell in love. My spouse and I applied immediately. Unfortunately and fortunately, Cammy was adopted to someone else. I was very sad about that, I had really wanted that dog, but he went to a really wonderful home. Apparently, the adopter had another flat coat and the two of them got on wonderfully and it was “a match made in heaven” so how can I be too sad about that.
As I found out after applying for five other dogs, it’s not always easy. Talking to other people that have also tried the adoption route, they also found it discouraging and ended up buying a puppy. That is the case for myself and my husband. I wanted to keep trying for an older dog and my husband really wanted. We wanted two dogs, so while I continued to look at different rescues, my spouse found a puppy we both liked.
That is how Ollie came to live with us. This photo is from the first week we had him. He’s a Spangold (Golden retriever and Spaniel)that was born on a farm. Neither one of his parent’s had black fur, but all the puppies came out similar to Ollie (black and floofy) He’s cute and I love him. and soooo looking forward to when he stops teething. This little angel can be a little devil and really likes to bite. I don’t know how many of you have had a puppy, but it can be A LOT. They are all teeth and little whirl winds. I’m usually finding myself chasing him to pull something he shouldn’t have out of him mouth. It’s clear our puppy proofing could use a tune up.
We had been hoping to get the older dog first, but that’s not the way it worked out. Niether of us expecting the adoption process to be such a, well process. It’s okay though. Ollie is starting to become a fantastic little member of our family.
I do have big news… We were approved by one of the rescue agencies and a 6 year old golden retriever will be coming home later this month! More on that story later! For all those trying to adopt, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get approved right away, Keep trying. It didn’t happen for us right away either. It has taken months and many rejections. I’ll update you all on the new dog when he comes home
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