Wow, I love your story, and would love to hear more about your new fur angel, and her relationship with your son (what is SCAD?)
My oldest son has some sensory integration problems, and so he has never been the "cuddley" type with us, and has always had "issues" with animals. I didn't think he'd want to have ANYTHING to do with yorkies, and he didn't either
....BUT....he is so in love with our Kiki! It's so sweet to me to see him love on her and sweet-talk her, as it is so uncharacteristic of him. And she is awfully attached to him in return!
I like the story about you naming your new pup after the man you cared for, too. What a lot poor SweetPea has been through in her life! Hopefully soon she'll be able to "retire" and just enjoy the good life, getting spoiled by you! I hope that man's daughter honors her "agreement" with you, grrrrrr.