Is It Time? Its Time!

Is it time for another dog?
I thought it would be many, many months before the answer would be "yes."

Is it time for another dog now?
The answer has shocked me (and Danny). But yes.
Danny and I are thrilled at the prospect.

I have been quite touched by many of you who have expressed understanding of our loss of BamBam. Thank you for your cards, and expressions of love. So many folks here in my community have affirmed me in ways that God has used to help me grieve with perspective and experience healthy healing.

I can get teary-eyed pretty quickly over talking about BamBam and missing him still. But I've also noticed that both Danny and I aren't looking to replace BamBam, we are people who want and have the lifestyle that includes the love of a dog.

We have put in an application and got approval from the DC/NoVA Lab Rescue for adoption of a chocolate lab. Its been a little nerve racking --- I cannot even imagine the ups/downs that people go through for child adoptions! (Catrina I think of your family).

I was perusing the site last Thursday and instantly fell in love with "Bear." We head up this Saturday to Alexandria to meet him and if all works out, bring him into our home and hearts. He sounds perfect for us.  I'm glad to understand that I've got love to give another dog. And the thought of "rescuing" a dog feels different than just getting another dog.

Meet "Bear" (from the website) ---

Bear is a 7 year old neutered chocolate male. He is up to date on his shots and is heartworm negative. He is good with other dogs and is approved for kids aged 10 and up. He weighs 77 lbs. He is 100% happy, happy lab. He loves treats and would be a great ball player. He jumps up to greet you but that's just excitement.

Update from Bear's foster family 3/7/2011:

It's been three weeks since Bear came home with me.  He is really starting to show his true character.  He is always happy and has great energy for a 7 year old (I'm beginning to wonder if he really is 7).  We go for several walks a day, but ideally he would enjoy a home with a fenced back yard.  He loves to run and sniff around the back yard and all around the neighborhood.  He is a smart dog and eager to please (and very food driven).  He has great house manners and knows when it’s time to settle down.  He does think he’s a lap dog (I don’t mind).  He does this thing when I first sit down on the couch.  He takes his head and buries it behind my back, with his tail in the air wagging.  Sometimes I think he’s telling me, “You finally sat down”.  

Bear is a great looking dog (the pictures don’t do him justice).  He is very stocky (and all muscle).  He has a beautiful shinny coat and great teeth.  He gets more looks and compliments during our walks in the neighborhood and our visits to the pet store. 

He also loves to ride in the car, and knows "let's go for a ride".  He goes straight to the car and jumps right in.  He moves around a lot in the beginning, but knows what I mean when I say "get in the back".  After a few minutes he settles down and enjoys the ride. 

He sleeps through the night without any trouble.  Last night he did whine a little, but I soon realized it was because he didn’t have his new toy with him.  He likes to sleep on his favorite toys (and my shoes). 

This weekend we went to a farm where he was around other dogs, horses, and cats.  He did great around the dogs and even the horses, but a little too curious around the cats.  I think he sees them as moving toys.  I think he needs to be in a home without cats.

The Blessing of a Wedding

It has a been a great weekend. One of my favorite ladies in my Bible study got married. Lauren was home because she wanted to babysit Sue & Bill's boys so they could go to the wedding too. We witnessed 5 baptism at the church service where Lauren goes to church in Durham. My heart is grateful to witness lives Jesus changes and works in.

Especially for the bride of this wedding, Donna.

She was Donna Christensen -- and those of you who went to Immanuel Bible Church back in the day (20+ years ago), you might remember her as the wife of then senior pastor Andy Christensen. And if you were around in the Christian community there, you may also be familiar with what happened. They had been married for thirty years when her husband announced he loved someone else -- he left her and his family for the church secretary he had an affair with. Needless to say, he left IBC as well. (He has since repented.)

But this second wedding wasn't about just a second husband. Its about Jesus. God did not leave Donna alone. Not only did she start/lead a ministry for abandoned women like herself, she wrote a book about how God used that experience to show Himself faithful. And by the way, her groom had not met her but had fallen in love with her because he read her book first!

Fast forward many years later -- many restorative and redemptive years later and Donna Christensen is now Donna Bos. I have only known her about a year and we have had a blast picking on each other in Bible study. She is a serious student of God's Word with a warm and giving smile, despite my snarky sense of humor directed at her. One day in class, there was discussion about wedding plans etc. and questions were being asked about colors, flowers, honeymoon and on and on.

"My goodness Donna," I remarked. "What do people at your age do on a honeymoon?" She turned bright red and glared at me with affection and responded, "You are a rat."

I love weddings. But I love when Christ is the reason for the wedding. When the husband and wife could have not met at the alter without the undeniable work of Christ. We were not blessed by this wedding because we are just happy for Donna, we are blessed by this wedding because only God does the miracles, only God knows the what He has in store for us, only God can turn what is bitter and painful into something that glorifies Him and changes us.

Just as I responded on the RSVP of her wedding invite: "WOO-HOO for Donna!!"

My BamBam, My Puppy

This is the post I have avoided writing for days. It will make me cry, again. It might make you cry.

Last Saturday, March 12, 2011 we had to make the decision to put BamBam to sleep. We knew the decision was inevitable, but we thought we had a couple of good weeks left with him. We had just had a really good couple of days.

So much happened so quickly and I struggle with recording all the details. It doesn't matter whether the details are put to words here I guess, my memory and Danny's won't forget the ordeal and emotional roller coaster we experienced in the last two weeks with our "baby."

To say that I am heartbroken is an understatement. To say I am grieving and depressed seems over-the-top, but there hasn't been a day since we said good bye that I have not cried over his absence.

This week is difficult. The house is screaming with silence and the lack of familiar and expected sounds of BamBam. I am lost and lonely in my own home.

There's a familiar song you will know the tune to from your childhood. Its "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands!" It was my song for BamBam and he loved it when I sang it to him. Of course the words were different.

There's a puppy in my house that I love!

There's a puppy in my house that I love!

There's a puppy in my house

that I love very much.

There's a puppy in my house that I love!

I sang it to him holding back tears for the last time last Saturday. By then he was completely blind, had suffered two seizures, but knew my voice. He wagged his tail, and welcomed my love. I hope it comforted him. I hope in the confusion of those last hours, he knew that his Mommy and Daddy wanted nothing more than to hold him and love him.

BamBam

October 2004 - March 2011