My Mom and I shared a like minded heart- one that is drawn to animals, and dogs in particular. In my “plenty-something” years, I have had several dog “loves”- Frisky, Luv, Tinker, Shadow, Emily, Chance, Rocks, Molly, Tanner, Titus and River. The last 3 have been Boxers, two of which we still have in our lives, and it has been this breed that truly has captivated my soul and captured my heart.
Last November 3, after getting help, diagnoses and advice from 3 vets, we were told that our sweet River, who was only 4, had a very aggressive brain tumor and that she would only decline daily, never returning to her perpetual puppy personality. On Friday, November 4th, 2012, my husband and I held River as she crossed to the Bridge at our vets office. She took a part of my heart, and the void left, has not been filled.
We had River cremated, but still have not been able to bury her ashes. I am grieved daily, and shedding tears as I think of her, are a part of my daily routine.
My husband and I knew that we would add another canine child to our family, and when our hearts had healed enough, we began volunteering at the Lynchburg Humane Society as well as at the Animal Control Facility in Rustburg. We were hopeful that the perfect addition to our home, would cross our paths. On several occasions we took our male Boxer, Titus, to meet dogs that we thought would be a good fit, but there just wasn’t that click between the two dogs. Titus is spoiled rotten and we make no apologies for it. We live on 30 acres and took our dogs to the office when we went to work, and at home, it was just my husband and I and our 3 dogs along with our cat of 9 years, Tigger, who is truly the BOSS of our pets.
I have always had a tender spot for the Bully Breeds, and know that the public perception of these dogs is very, very wrong. If I didn’t already have Boxers, I would definitely choose Bully breeds. In fact, I had been so moved by the high number of pitbulls at the shelters, that we contacted Bully Paws, which is a rescue group, and filled out an application for adoption, hopeful that our dogs would be accepting of a new family member.
We had a home visit, our references and vet were contacted, and we were approved for any dog we wanted. In early April we went to Fredericksburg to meet Daisy, a 8 week old gorgeous pit bull pup. We had to take Tanner and Titus to the meet and greet, to see how they would interact. Titus is such a jealous dog….he seems to think that we belong to him and him alone. He gets grumpy at times with Tanner and would do the same with River, just letting them know that they need to let him have the lap time and not interfere.
It was love at first sight for me, but I soon realized that Titus and Daisy just weren’t going to click. Daisy was so sweet, but she had a strong personality and most likely would not be submissive to Titus which we all felt would cause issues. But this is how it is with Titus and other dogs. He likes to be boss.
On the way home from our meeting with Bully Paws, I got online to check the local shelters and SPCA’s again for boxer pups and what I found gave me goose bumps.
It seems that a breeder in the Charlottesville area, who was a widow, without children had died suddenly. Her female Boxer, Chloe, had already been bred, and was due to deliver pups and a foster home was needed. While I knew that I couldn’t take her in, I was anxious to learn about her pups, since they were going to be placed with the local shelter for adoption.
I called on Monday and discovered that Chloe and Jude were both in foster care at the same home, and that Chloe had delivered 6 healthy pups the first week in April. They were now 3 weeks old and I was told that I could come and see them, which I did. I was immediately drawn to a female with a black coat. I was told that she was NOT a reverse brindle, but rather a black seal coated Boxer. I held her and she immediately nuzzled my neck and started to suckle my cheek. My heart melted and I knew at that moment that this was the girl who would help to mend my heart. I was shown the papers for both the parents and saw that the male who had sired this pup was named- Buffalo River Jude. RIVER!!!!! I had found my RIVER!!!!
I took pictures and when I got home, Keith just knew that I had left a part of my heart with that pup. We talked to our vet who thought that Titus would do well with a Boxer pup. So, I was going to be able to rehome a Boxer, and get a rescue pup at the same time.
I believe that God knows every secret we harbor in our heart. He has known about my pain over loosing River, and the uncertainty we face with Tanner, our oldest Boxer, who is battling Cushings. Finding this pup was not a chance happening or a coincidence, but rather something sweet and tender orchestrated by my Creator who made me with a heart that loves.....people and dogs.
Tomorrow is Friday, May 24, 2013 and we will welcome Harley into our family. Harley’s Heart of River will join 8 year old Tanner and 7 year old Titus as my canine child…..one that I know will help me focus on the joy of having a new family member and mend the empty spot in my heart. And because her placement in our home is by Divine appointment, I anxiously look forward to all the puppy antics and training.
I will continue to help the dogs still waiting for their forever homes as needed through gifts of service and finances, and believe that there is a Divine appointment for them as well.
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