We have a soft spot for animals in our family. As I have alluded to in past posts, someone is always wanting to rescue a dog or cat, and at times we have added new pets to our family this way. Other times, we have rescued and rehomed animals that might have otherwise remained strays.
My husband Trever is usually not the biggest fan of these endeavors, which is why I was surprised to receive a phone call when out of town with Abby on a school trip in the spring of 2016. He simply said “I did something;” that “something” was picking up an older, tiny, emaciated dachscund on the side of the road on the way home from work.
After he and Sarah took the dog – whom they christened Lucy – to the vet, a decision had to be made on what to do with her. She wasn’t microchipped and there were no reports of lost dogs matching her description in our area. We were full up on animals in our home with 3 cats and 2 dogs, and from the vet visit, they learned she was an older dog so we did not want to rehome her to just anyone.
After some discussion, Trever offered Lucy to his parents and they took her in. She was a quiet, sweet dog who just wanted to sleep beside someone and snuggle. Although they had two dogs at the time, they were both small old Yorkish Terriers and everyone seemed to live in indifferent harmony. As time went on, the oldest yorkie passed and they got a new puppy, a high sprited papillon who was the bane of Lucy and Zoie’s existence.
As my mother-in-law’s health worsened, Lucy and Zoie became her constant companions and after her passing earlier this month, they were a bit lost. My father-in-law was concerned how the dogs would do with having him in and out constantly for work and how they would adjust to Judy being gone.
That is how, after three years, we ended up bringing Lucy back to our home last weekend (Zoie went to live with Trever’s nephew and his mom). She was perfect on the ride home, sleeping in her bed on the seat and quite a contrast to the terrible two who are awful travelers, bark constantly (I’m looking at you Sleepy) and are restless and roam during car rides.
Bubby and Sleepy were a bit territorial the first few days but that is to be expected. Due to her age and her, um, physical limitations (girlfriend is super short), she doesn’t spend much time in the same places as them and only is up on the furniture when she is sitting with someone.
As for the cats… Lucy loves the cats. Lucy is fascinated by the cats. Lucy wants the cats to play with her and/or hunts them as prey. We haven’t quite figured it out yet. She will immediately perk up when one of the cats enter a room and jump up (if you can call what she does jumping) to sniff them and follow them around, her tail wagging a mile a minute. They are not her greatest fans but seem to be taking it all in stride. Sometimes hasty stride if she chases them.
Abby is Lucy’s main caregiver, she bathes her, brushes her teeth (that is Lucy’s only fault – what bad breath!), and took her to Petsmart to pick out some new toys the first day we had her home. She sleeps in Abby’s bed at night and they are best pals.
We certainly didn’t set out to add another pet to our menagerie but here she is! Truth be told, she is so sweet and laid back that we often forget she is here. I hope you enjoyed the pictures of the oldest, newest member of our family; stay tuned for more in the days to come!
