On May 29, 2007, my roommate and good friend Jennifer and I went to the shelter to scope out dogs, since I was planning on getting one after my month-long study abroad in Australia and I wanted her to approve my dog choice. We weren't planning on adopting, but thought that we might take a few out of their kennels to give them some play time. The first dog we decided to take out was a smiling, spotte
d puppy. We got her into the playroom and she was bouncy and adorable, just like any other 5 month old puppy who had been stuck in a cage for 3-4 months (yes, months) would be. We called her name and she responded immediately, which struck both of us. As an experiment, we told her to sit. Her butt hit the ground immediately and we knew this puppy was something special. Suddenly, one of the volunteers comes in and asks if we were interested in Dixie. We told her we weren't sure, that we hadn't come in to adopt since I was leaving for Australia in a week. The volunteer then told us that Dixie was free since someone (we suspect it was her) had sponsored her en
tire fee. Jenn and I both knew that we couldn't let this pup
py go. I called my mom and begged her to watch this puppy for a month. My mom, being the softy that she is, agreed, and I pretty much ran up front to get my name down to adopt her. They told me her spay would be done Thursday and that I could take her home on Friday.
Later that evening, I got a call that Dixie's surgery had been moved up and I would be able to pick her up on Thursday! I was ecstatic and went out to get everything I needed for my new angel.
On Thursday, May 31, 2007, I picked up the first love of my life, my canine soulmate. She charmed all of my roommates and loved her Aunt Jennifer (as you can see in the picture on her first day home!
Dixie has been an absolute joy these past 2 years. She has been with me through illness, a broken engagement, and now she is training to become my assistance dog and tremors alert dog. She knows me so well and we work together like a dream. Training her has been a breeze since we are so in tune. She knows when I am about to have an episode of tremors and alerts so I can take my medicine early. Everyone that meets Dixie falls in love with her. She is probably the most special dog I have ever met. I adore my Dixie and am so thankful we found each other.
HAPPY GOTCHA DAY DIXIE!
