Of puppies, hope and healing

My family was out shopping last weekend and when they returned, I was told my daughters had bought me a present that was too large to wrap. I was instructed to sit in the living room with my eyes closed, which I did…until a warm furry body was placed in my lap.

A puppy.

Of course, the tears flowed.  After the trauma of losing my last dog because I couldn’t get her into a vet anywhere in Thurston County, I had pretty much given up hope of ever having another dog.

I didn’t think I could face the possibility of losing another beloved pet because the vets in our area were so short-staffed and backed up, they couldn’t see any emergency cases. (This included the local emergency pet hospitals.)

After the column I wrote about this painful experience, I heard from several readers that were going through the same thing. One reader even suggested we start a grief support group for pet lovers that were going through this loss.

But here she was... A three-month-old black and white mix of Husky, Golden Retriever and Heeler. She has the face of a heeler and is a little cuddle bug, and I was immediately smitten.

I have always had small dogs in the past. This one, who was also the runt of the litter, would be about 45 pounds when fully grown. A nice size in between our chubby pug and 95-pound lab.

She came from a home with chickens and ducks, which was also a plus since we have them too.

Her arrival called for a trip to Lacey to Pet Smart for toys, treats, puppy food, a harness, leash and food bowl, since everything I had was too small. She is already bigger than my previous dogs, a yorkie and shih tzu.

Next came the biggest challenge – a name.

My great-grands love the Bluey cartoon show and my grandchildren informed me she looks like Bluey, so maybe I should call her that. I agreed to check it out with Prairie, my four-year old. They also pointed out Willow the Warrior can say Bluey, so it was a definite contender.

Another daughter, still in California, suggested Bella, which goes nicely with Bailey the lab and Betsy the pug.

Willow has a rather limited vocabulary at the moment, so, I waited until Prairie came over to make her acquaintance, and asked her what she thought.

That conversation went like this:

Prairie: What is her name, Granny?

Me: Well since she looks like Bluey, I was thinking about calling her that, but I also like Bella. Which one do you like?

Prairie: I like Rosy.

Final decision? Bella Rose.

Next came the phone call to the vet to set an appointment for the next round of puppy shots. I was really holding my breath after the last disaster, but was able to get one within the time frame needed.

Last but not least, my niece in Sequim sent me a connection with a group of heeler owners so I can learn more about training, behavior and habits. Although she is a mix, the nurse at the vet’s office asked me which breed she looks like when I made her appointment, so I am going with Heeler.

I am striving to be positive about the future of this pup. I already love her. Best Christmas present ever!

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.