Meet Lucy :)
 

Tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., Kelly and I are picking up Lucy. She's a 9- or 10-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Eddie and Jillie's new big sister.

To be honest, when a friend approached me right after Rusty died, I told her it was too soon. Yes, we wanted another big dog, but I thought we needed a little more time.

Well, I'm sort of a never-say-never kinda guy, and I told Lucy's rescuer that I would run it by my wife. Chessies happen to be one of her favorite breeds.

And the rest is history. Kelly was moved by Lucy's story -- Two years ago, she spent 2 months in animal control with no one wanting to adopt her. My friend, who rescues Chessies, picked her up and placed her with a great dog family.

Unfortunately, that family has 4 other dogs, including a pushy cattle dog that was always in Lucy's face. Lucy ignored her for 2 years before giving her a warning recently. They were hoping that would solve the problem, but it incited the cattle dog even further. There was no peace in the house for Lucy, so the owner told the rescuer he needed to find a new home for her.

We did two meetups with Lucy before making up our mind. The first was an outdoor meetup with my two and Lucy. They got along just fine. They checked each other out, then went on their own way. The Yorkies didn't harass her, and she wasn't overly curious. The next day, I picked Lucy up for 3 hours. I took her on a couple walks to the park, and she did fantastic. I wasn't planning on letting her off-leash, but she was so good on leash that I gave it a try. She loved the freedom, but the first time I called her name, she turned on a dime and sprinted back to me. She has a terrific recall. We also hung out in the house, and Lucy sniffed every corner of it, took a poop in the yard, then settled down right by my feet. Eddie and Jillie didn't smother her with affection, but there was no hostility either.

The clincher for me was when I dropped her off at her home. During the meetup, she was sort of clingy with her owner -- staying close to him until she realized we were OK. But when we dropped her off, she pulled at her leash to stay with us! You might say, she had me at goodbye.

For those who know Rusty's story, rest assured we have Megan's blessing. She grilled me to make sure I wasn't trying to replace him (From certain angles, Lucy looks a LOT like Rusty). But I convinced her, and myself, that that's not the case. There's no replacing Rusty. But there is a job opening in the house. We have room for 3, and Rusty showed me that a senior dog is the perfect fit for us.

So wish us luck in our newest doggie adventure. I'm sure you'll be hearing lots about Lucy in the years to come.

Oh Happy Day!
 

Mike, I am so very happy for you and Kelly, Eddie and Jillie. It sounds like Lucy is going to be a perfect big sister. Your post has me in tears. Lucy is going to have a very important job this winter - forging a path through the snow for Eddie and Jillie. I can just see Jack and Rusty at the Rainbow Bridge smiling with joy at your decision.

Aww, thanks. I struggled with making the decision so soon. I didn't want to disrespect Rusty, and I didn't want to rush into something that wasn't a good fit.

But I've learned a lot about myself and dogs over my lifetime. Every time I've lost one, it's been a rough time. But every time I've gotten a new one, it's helped me heal. When I lost my first Lab, Alex, I waited 10 years before getting another dog. There was no replacing him, and I didn't even want to try.

But when we did get another dog, I realized that I'd had this huge hole in my life all that time. I'd denied myself the chance to love, and I'd denied lots of dogs a good home. When I lost Jack, I felt the same devastation, but I knew I couldn't wait as long to try to fill that hole in my heart. We got Jillie, and it eased our grief without diminishing my feelings for Jack.

So here we go again. I've had such good luck with a senior dog in our house that I want to try it again. We have Jillie, the pup; Eddie, the mature adult; and Lucy, the senior citizen. All the ingredients for a balanced pack.

Congratulations, Mike! I'm so happy for you guys, it really does sound like a perfect fit once again. Can't wait to see pics of Lucy, Jillie & Eddie becoming a great family.:)

Congrats Mike, Kelly, Eddie and Jillie!! I saw Lucky's introduction on FB and I am so happy for all of you. Lucy is a gorgeous gal and we won't have to worry about Jillie and Eddie getting lost in those big snow drifts, with Lucy to forge the way for them.
I can totally understand how she will help all of you with your grief. I am sure that Rusty is looking down from the Rainbow Bridge with a smile for all of you.

That's so exciting! Lucy sounds like she will be a great fit and couldn't find a better home.

It takes a special kind of person to adopt a senior dog, but I already knew that about you and Kelly. Lucy is a very lucky pup! I wish your family much love, health, and happiness.

Congrats to you! Sounds like Lucy has found a new wonderful home!

Congratulations! This is wonderful news, and Lucy just landed the goldmine of homes:)

Wow, it sounds like another match made in heaven (perhaps by Jack and Rusty? ;)). So happy for you - congratulations!! Lucy is one lucky dog!

What a beautiful story...ths just makes me so happy. Lucy looks like a very special girl!

I'm sure Rusty is very happy that another senior dog is going to be a part of such a loving home. :)

Very well said!! :thumbup:

Congrats Mike! She looks like a giant bear and so sweet! I can't wait to see more pics.

Congratulations on Lucy! She will be very lucky to be part of your family.

I am always behind on news....Congratulations on the new addition! Lucy is a very lucky girl. :)