Shakin' Things Up!

Its Me LuLuBelle2 · ‎10-12-2016

Our wonderful rescue dog has been with us for 13 years. The vet estimated she was about 1 1/2 years old when we adopted her - a beautiful muttley who is the sweetest thing on four legs. Shortly after we adopted her my MIL got sick and her little terrier came to live with us as my MIL was in and out of the hospital, rehab center and eventually in a nursing home. I always promised her when she died I would keep her rascal and love him like my own, and he'd always have a good home. Which we did until he passed away last July at age 15. As heartbroken as my husband and I were to lose him, our lovely girl missed him more - they were the best of buddies.

The last few months she has been mopey, sleeps away most of her day and shows very little interest in anything. Every now and then a cat shows up in our yard and that gets her up and moving. But other than that, her curiosity and interest are on the wane.

Today my husband came up with a brilliant (and I mean BRILLIANT idea)! When we travel between NY and FL our gorgeous girl loves the rest stops on I-95. So many different smells, so much to sniff and wander after. All of those pups that were there before her - YOWZA. So today hubby suggested we take her to a rest stop! We don't live too far from I-95 and there's a rest area about 5 miles North of where we get on. We loaded her in the car, took her up and she spent a solid hour with her nose to the ground walking US, yes, she walked us to everywhere she wanted to go. The tail wagged non-stop and she was reluctant to get back in the car to go home. We promised her we'd make it a weekly event! She came home pooped, headed to her bed happy and slept for a solid two hours (hopefully dreaming of all those pups she smelled today)! Yep, shakin' things up!!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@Its Me LuLuBelle2. That was indeed a genius idea and cost practically nothing but time.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

@Its Me LuLuBelle2.....sounds to me that she is in need of a new companion at home..... That would shake things up forsure.

SuesCat · ‎07-11-2012

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 I just love that you love her so much. Your hubby had a good idea and it's neat that you actually put the plan into action! (((hugs))) to you all : )

P.S. I'm sorry for you loss last July but i'm sure you know you ga that rascal all the love she could ever want/need.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give.
**Be the reason someone smiles today : )

Its Me LuLuBelle2 · ‎10-12-2016

@ShowMe wrote:
@Its Me LuLuBelle2.....sounds to me that she is in need of a new companion at home..... That would shake things up forsure.

@ShowMe, We've actually been tossing the idea around. But, we are just not sure at her age how well she'd take to the idea. I volunteer at an animal shelter here in FL and another in NY. She seems pretty indignant when I come home smelling like other dogs and cats! Part two is we've had 3 other rescue dogs (all adopted with medical problems - our current girl was adopted knowing she had heartworm when we got her, as did one before her) and the first adoptee had been pretty abused and had real trust issues that took awhile for him to get through. With each loss it tears our heart out a little bit more and frankly, when we lose this one I'm not sure we can go through all the emotional pain again. Part of me says no, but a bigger part of me knows how many animals are in desperate need of good, loving homes and I tell hubby it would be selfish of us not to provide one.

Bird mama · ‎03-12-2010

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 You and your husband are my kind of people

There are times when you must speak, not because you are going to change the opposing side, but because if you do not speak, they have changed you.

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

What an absolutely sweet story to put a smile on my face and a tug on my heart. Your husband's idea was indeed brilliant but the best part of it is that the two of you so filled with love for your dog took the time to, as you put it..."Shakin' Things Up." I sure hope that in the future your dog will permanently come out of her doldrums without the trips to the rest stops. Good luck.

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam

Catty2 · ‎09-06-2014

I love your idea of taking your dog to the rest stop. She certainly seemed to enjoy herself. I have a 12-year old dog that I adopted 8 years ago. She is a doxie mix so when I take her to the park - and even in her own backyard - her nose is sniffing away.

Marp · ‎03-09-2010

@Its Me LuLuBelle2 wrote:
@ShowMe wrote:
@Its Me LuLuBelle2.....sounds to me that she is in need of a new companion at home..... That would shake things up forsure.
@ShowMe, We've actually been tossing the idea around. But, we are just not sure at her age how well she'd take to the idea. I volunteer at an animal shelter here in FL and another in NY. She seems pretty indignant when I come home smelling like other dogs and cats! Part two is we've had 3 other rescue dogs (all adopted with medical problems - our current girl was adopted knowing she had heartworm when we got her, as did one before her) and the first adoptee had been pretty abused and had real trust issues that took awhile for him to get through. With each loss it tears our heart out a little bit more and frankly, when we lose this one I'm not sure we can go through all the emotional pain again. Part of me says no, but a bigger part of me knows how many animals are in desperate need of good, loving homes and I tell hubby it would be selfish of us not to provide one.

@Its Me LuLuBelle2, I think your girl told you how she'd take to the idea after her outing. She was alert, interested, perked up, worn out and apparently happy to have encountered other dogs even it is was only through scent. Perhaps she is indignant (and maybe disappointed) when you come home from the rescue just smelling like other dogs but empty handed, not with another dog.

There are plenty of adult and senior dogs without baggage that need homes and far too many that came from the same situation as your MIL's dog. They deserve a second chance and second home. Your vet might be a very good source for such a dog.

What is good for the goose today will also be good for the gander tomorrow.

lolakimono · ‎03-29-2012

@Its Me LuLuBelle2

I think fostering would be the ideal situation for your house. You can keep her stimulated and give her company, and if things don't work out, no problem.