Tuesday, January 27, 2015

our new family member


Since it seems like we're completely snowed in here in Massachusetts, I might as well finally do a post about our newest family member.

In February of 2014 my dog Sophia passed away from heart failure. It was sudden, but yet expected. It's been almost a year now, and there isn't a single day where my heart doesn't hurt for her. I think about her constantly and still have my moments of tearing up when I find a toy she liked or a sweater she used to wear.

After a week of being without her, the house just didn't feel the same. Everyone was quiet and a hushed sadness could be felt in the air. Even our other dog Lucy was exceptionally mopey. It's then that we made the decision to adopt another dog. Two things we wanted, a small breed chihuahua and a rescue.

After searching petfinder.com I found a few favorites, but really loved this tiny black creature of a dog. And her name? Ruby Elf.

I contacted the foster mom and she immediately took to us. We scheduled a meeting and made the hour and a half drive into New Hampshire to meet everyone, bringing Lucy along as well.

When we first walked into the home, a tiny black ball of crazy started barking at us from the couch. She was about 3 1/2 lbs, which the foster mom informed us she had gained a pound recently, and was just the smallest thing. We sat on the couch for a couple of hours getting her used to us and seeing how Lucy took to her. Kh originally had hesitations about a wiry haired weird looking dog, but once Ruby started biting on her buttons, she was hooked.

We got rather pushy after the first meeting and had the home visit scheduled just a few days later. In less than a week she was all ours!

Our first order of business? Changing her name. We immediately renamed her to Gracie Mae. She was so small at first we had to wait until she got much older and put on some weight to get her spayed.

I'm such a huge advocate for rescuing a dog, or rescuing any animal. Adopting both enriches your life and saves the life of an animal. The rescue association we went through is Friends of Homeless Animals, based in Rhode Island. They are a completely volunteer based organization that relies on fosters coming together to help find homes for small breed dogs. I loved the organization so much I started volunteering for them, and have done many home visits to help potential adopters bring a dog into their home.

(Gracie, Dragon(sister), and Lola(mom)) 

Over the summer, the other families that adopted Gracie's sisters and mother all got together for a little family reunion in Rhode Island. It was such an amazing experience to be apart of. I felt slightly out of place, the two tattooed lesbians from Boston rolling up on a suburban hetero get together. Gracie was a bit hesitant and preferred to sit on our laps or go to the nearest person with a treat. But it was so great to see the different parts of Gracie's personality that all came together. Her mother had the exact same fur patterns and wiry hair. She was also the sweetest little love.




Her favorite activity all rolled into one! Napping and annoying her sister dog Lucy. 


She's the absolute sweetest pumpkin, with a bit of attitude all rolled into one. You can see the gray mohawk she's recently started sporting. We aren't sure where that came from, but it's quite suiting to her personality. October she celebrated her first birthday, so we aren't looking at an elderly gal here.

We're so happy to have her as part of the family. Now if only I could talk Kh into letting me get another chihuahua.. Chihuahua pack here I come!

xoxo

3 comments:

  1. So freaking cute! That picture - 3rd from the bottom - completely made me melt! And the grey mohawk? Holy shit, that's the best thing I've ever seen. I am with you 8000% on the rescue thing.

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    1. aw thanks so much! im glad you're just as smitten as we are with her :)

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  2. Hey do you have an instagram or facebook? I love reading about what's going on with you. Hope you and Kh are doing well ♡ Erika

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