This weekend, while we were visiting family in Pensacola, we decided to go ahead and jump on the “looking for a new family member” (ie getting a new dog) wagon. And while we found ourselves explaining to every place we visited the reasons we had so many questions and our loss of Captain, we also tried to embrace the search of saving a new life.
Originally we wanted to look for the same breed as Captain.
We loved his temperament and how great he was, but the truth is with his disease, part of his subdued nature could well have been related to his life circumstances. We stopped by the Pensacola SPCA, a very nice place where you get to view pets by looking at pictures, then they bring them out one by one. We also went to the regular Escambia County Shelter, a kill shelter.
That being said it was a very nice place and you could tell was set up to really make sure the care for the animals was a priority. It was clean, the dogs had access to inside and outside shelters, there was a separate quarantine area for pets thought to have rabies, they had a place specifically for adoptable cats and also potentially lost and stray cats. They also had animals up front that needed immediate homes. I won’t say it didn’t break our heart. It absolutely did. Every animal that we walked by was one we could not save. Every animal we left was one that may not see the morning. But the shelter and the workers seemed caring.
If you are in that area, please consider visiting and finding a new best friend.
We arrived at the opening of the shelter and my spouse noticed two large, very happy dogs in the back of a truck being led out by a well groomed man. Chris said “I hope he isn’t dropping those dogs off“.
Sure enough, he was. This well to do guy, that looked like he spent plenty of time at the gym, and those two happy large dogs being dropped off at the kill shelter.
They wagged their tales all the way through intake, clearly trusting their “master”.
I think we all died a little inside.
I took the time to explain to Charlotte that animals that were not adopted were put down and that she needed to understand that any animal our family adopts, short of attacking us, would never leave our family to a life at the shelter.
Even though we looked at many puppies, Charlotte fell in love with a Minpin/Italian Greyhound mix who was 14 months old at the first place. We hadn’t requested to see him, but when I asked the open question “do you have any other dogs that might be a good fit” she said they had a dog that everyone liked and was a favorite. I said go ahead and bring him out.
Charlotte decided he was the one.
I still made everyone visit the other shelters to “be sure”.
Charlotte talked about him the rest of the morning and was worried “someone else would get him”.
So….I want to introduce you to the newest member of our family, Jedi:
Jedi (former named Joshy) is 14 months old, fully house trained, loves to lick faces, chase balls, and is extremely fast due to his breed. He has already inspired my spouse and I to run with him and he sleeps on Charlotte’s bed all night long. The cats have already adjusted and I saw Paprika sitting a foot away from him today with no concern.
To be honest, he is a bit of a chicken around the cats.
Having learned a valuable lesson about dogs, responsibility, and shelters, this weekend Charlotte and her friends asked if they could run a lemonade and cupcake stand to raise money for the local shelter. We let them set up a little place in the drive way and they raised $16.60.
I am going to take Charlotte this week to personally deliver her money.
I think all of this has been a really great lesson in humanity for our family…and I could not be more proud at my daughter’s maturity and heart.
In an odd way, Captains passing helped save another life. Here is to a very long and fulfilling adventure with Jedi.
~Trisha
What a sweet baby!
Aww, that’s precious. How sweet of your little girl to raise money for the shelter. I’m sorry that your dog Captain passed away. Jedi is a cute puppy and has a great home now.
Looks like Jedi hit the jackpot with a wonderful family! I volunteer at the Humane Society of Pensacola and was their Friday with another volunteer. I took Joshy (Jedi) out and fell in love with him. We put him and another dog, Gabriel, in the fenced area and they played to their hearts content. I recorded it with my phone but for some reason I can’t upload it. Too cute though. Jedi also loves frisbees so you must invest in one. He brought one to me to throw for him. Just a delightful little fellow. I wish you much happiness with him and know he will give you lots of smiles, love and joy. And if your wondering what Captain is thinking, he happily leaves his beloved family to a scared shelter dog to love all the days of his life. (Go to the link below for a beautiful story of a dogs last will and testament)
http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/will-FTLTD.jpg
I am so glad that this baby was rescued and it looks as if he will be very loved….it is very hard to lose a pet…and for your loss I am sorry…but there are so many out there in need..so for that i am greatful you took him into your loving home…i for one was asking about him…I have 7 rescues of my own….3 of them are min/pin chi….so i was in love when i saw Joshy ( Jedi)…just glad he is safe
<3
While Captain was only with your family for a short period of time, I think he did indeed instill some amazing life lessons in the family for sure! I love what you are all doing as a family to educate about animals and to promote adopting from shelters. Love this blog post, all happiness for sure! That Jedi is ADORABLE too!
so happy for your family!
I so love Jedi… as you know because he looks like my Mandie.
I’m so glad that Charlotte has fallen in love with him so quickly and him with her. He will protect her so well.
My heart swelled when I read about the money she raised in memory of Captain for the animal shelter. You have raised such a loving and sensitive daughter. Please give her a big hug to her from me and all my brood.
Okay, first off – how could anyone NOT love Jedi! Absolutely ADORABLE!
Second, your daughter is such a wonderful little girl. Doing anything she can to raise money for the shelter is so endearing and sweet and just plain KIND. It shows that you’ve taught her that giving is a great gift in itself and you have helped her to develop a heart of gold. Good job Charlotte (and Trisha)!
Welcome Jedi! That’s an interesting mix of dogs!
he is FAST.
Jedi is adorable and it looks like he’s fallen in love with Charlotte! And oh my goodness how sweet that she raised money for the shelter! You all have such big hearts
she is a good girl
Awww welcome to your new family member. You must be so proud of Charlotte, that is amazing!
love, love, love!
Congratulations on the new family member!! He is just gorgeous! I think once you have a dog in your home, it feels like there is something missing when there isn’t one around! Also, how awesome that your daughter and her friends spent the day raising money for other animals! Can’t wait to read more stories about Jedi!
I am so happy for your family!!! Love the name Jedi!
Congrats to the new member in the family and wow, what a sweetie Charlotte is.
I love his name even if I don’t love those movies.LOL I am SO happy for your family!
Trisha, this makes my heart smile. I am and always will be a dog person and you’re such a great advocate for shelters just by sharing your story. I look forward to hearing about your adventures with Jedi.
That was fast! I’m so happy for your family and Jedi looks like an AMAZING fit. Isn’t it funny how dogs can fill our lives with something special that nothing else can? Congratulations! BTW, I can’t believe how some can NOT adopt/keep such lovable animals who are left to die
I know, it does sound fast. But we decided that the house was empty, charlotte missed out on her dog experiance, and we have the time and love to do it, so why not? I am not sure you ever get over a pet loss. I am still sad when I think about Sebastian and its been a year and a half. My dad told me that sometimes getting a new pet helps ease the loss of the last one.
She has a beautiful, wonderful heart. And you’re right – though this is heartbreaking for all of you – Charlotte will value sweet Jedi so much more. I’m just sorry that she had to learn the lesson this way. That all of you did, really. <3
Precious dog and a very sweet story. He is lucky to have you guys and Charlotte raising the money is just beyond words. Very very wonderful!
How sweet. <3