As life would have it, we are once again a home with three redheads.  It all happened quickly, but already it’s been a blessing.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I was ready for another pupalup, but I’ve known for awhile now that Lucy has been needing that kind of companionship.

I already knew that I wanted a golden retriever (because I didn’t have the heart for another lab, and goldens are the next best thing), so over Christmas I looked into Golden Retriever Rescues.  There were lots of great-looking dogs, but none of them  “spoke” to me.  I just couldn’t get excited about the adoption process.

Then I saw my next furbaby in a photo on Facebook, and I knew he was the one.  I think it was Divine Intervention that he was in the shelter, and that I saw him online, AND that I was able to adopt him so quickly.  (In shelter on Friday, adopted on Monday, home on Tuesday.)

We were happy to have him join our little home, but for him it was a pretty traumatic week.  From the shelter to being adopted, to getting neutered, adjusting to Lucy and I, me leaving for Market and dad dog-sitting for the weekend… By the end of the week (of course while I was gone), he had stopped eating and dad had to take him to the vet twice.  When I got home, one barium treatment and one stomach exploratory surgery later, we discovered that his GI tract had stopped working completely.  They said it could have been inflamed from stress.  So he had two major surgeries within a week, the poor fella!

I’m happy to report that now he is healthy, happy and playful puppy!  He’s still adjusting (we all are), but it’s been (mostly) fun!

The vet thinks he is about a year old and what appears to be full {red} golden retriever.  He is beautiful and a sweetheart, there’s no doubt about it.  He is also a chewer and thief, but we’re working on that.   My favorite thing is that he smiles – all the time – it warms my heart.

Speaking of the heart, I’ll admit that I was caught off-guard by how little capacity I thought I had to love this “new dog”… and surprised by how much my heart has expanded to include him.  (Just like the Grinch’s heart!)  I didn’t think I was ready, but now that he’s mine, he has a piece of my heart too.  And that’s a good thing (for both Lucy and I).

All that to say… our home (and hearts) have expanded by four feet!

Friends, meet Linus!  Of course this occasion calls for an adoption announcement…

linus announcement sm

 

{BTW, the name Linus was my brother’s idea – he’s clever like that!}

We’re looking forward to lots of fun with Linus in the future!  Just search for #ohlinus and #redlucyandlinus on Instagram

 

 

 

Happy Wednesday, friends!