I am often approached and asked to be on the lookout for a certain kind of dog.
Usually this occurs when someone has recently lost a pet or the one they have is aging. Many are animals I did not know or have barely known, but a few are my kids from the past.
After sincere condolences my message is always the same, “Unfortunately God only lends them to us.”
I have recently received the message that Dolly, one of my kids from the past, has left us. She was a sweet Saint Bernard who gave great hugs. The stories I am told (which all are true) are that how special their dog was, as I felt about my Monty and feel today about my Allie.
The perfect dog to fulfill these situations are not always easy, but they’re out there as depicted in my “Best medicine” stories.
Still, when the time is right and the folks are sincerely ready, I can often make a pretty good match.
A few weeks ago I was approached by a dear lady and told they’d lost their beloved dachshund and would I keep an eye out. Keeping up is difficult to do, so I added their names to my watch list and put it on the back burner.
Then one morning while leaving breakfast at TJ’s, a friend pulled up and shouted, “Lennie, I’m glad I’ve caught you, I have a problem.”
It was Frances, a good friend and often a breakfast companion with our group.
“What is it dear, I’m a little pressed for time,” I said.
Frances walked me to her car and pointed in the back seat.
“I found her laying by the road near my house, she is very pregnant,” Frances said.
It was a cute little dachshund who had her head on her paws and just looked up at me with sad eyes.
“Can you help her Lennie?”  Frances asked pleadingly.
“I have to get to work this morning but I’ll take her over to Landrum vet, they’ll hold her till I figure something out,” I said.
I opened the door and sat in with her a moment, she was very loving and receptive and most definitely pregnant. She seemed in good health and relished my hands on her as I quickly examined her for injury or mistreatment.  I estimated her to be around 3 years old.
Frances asked, “How do you think she got there?”
As I scooped her up in my arms I said, “I can only assume dear and you don’t want to know what I think.”
I gave Frances a reassuring hug, placed the dachshund in my car and headed toward Landrum vet.
“Don’t worry Darlin, no one will abandon you again,” I said, stoking her as I drove.
When I arrived, only Elaine, their staff chief was there and her eyes lit up when she saw what I was holding.
“I think she was dumped, Elaine and it looks like pups are on the way, could you all take her on until I figure out what to do?”
“No problem Lennie,” she replied, eager to take her from me.
“Thanks dear, I have to get to work, but I’ll check in after my shift,” I said.
“What shall we call her?” Elaine asked.
“I’ve been calling her Darlin,” I replied.
“Okay,” Elaine answered giggling, “Darlin without the G.”
After work I headed back to see how Darlin was doing. I learned from Dr. Raines that she’d already had her pups and was drying up, otherwise she was in good health.
“Thanks, Donna, we’re slammed at the shelter but I’ll get her there as soon as I can,” I said.
“Oh no,” Donna replied, “We all agreed, she’s to stay here till we find her a home.”
Elaine stood by grinning as I doled out tearful hugs all around.
The next day when I went to check on Darlin and a few of my other kids, I noticed the name Rizzo was replaced on her card and Darlin was changed to Molly.
It seems Elaine had called the very people who had contacted me a few weeks ago and they came in and adopted the sweet little girl on the spot.  I looked up to the heavens with a big smile on my face and whispered a silent prayer of thanks.
“I should have known better. I may fall down on the job now and then, but You never do,” I said.
For those of you who read last week’s column, a quick update.
Jewel is now running around and playing with a whole group of dogs at Dogwood Farms. I literally wept with joy when I saw her playfully interacting for the first time.
It seems all who meet her just love her, even the other dogs. Her problems remain but there has been noticeable improvement.
Thanks again to my angel who is still paying for her meds and to Dr. Jones who is paying for her special vitamins and who left a nice donation for her care at Dogwood Farms. He also supports Lennie’s kids every chance he gets. Bless them all.
Blossom, the beautiful Am-Staff, has found a home, much thanks to Josh.
Muffin is doing okay but prefers women to men. She ignores Josh and even myself but sits and looks up with loving attention when Astrid (Josh’s lovely wife) tends to her.
Bojangles had his leg removed and the operation went beautifully, the leg is gone but the purr machine remains in tact. Bo also has a home and will be joining two other little white tripods as soon as he heals up.
Elaine also had a hand in this adoption, she’s on a roll.  It is a perfect scenario for little Bo, God bless you Bud, but somehow I think He already has.
Today I kind of feel like Tiny Tim from the Christmas Carol and I just want to shout out “God bless you one and all.”
Thanks for listening.