When I was two, my family got our first dog. A cocker spaniel named Amber. I loved that dog so stinkin' much. She was with us until she had a stroke my freshmen year of high school, then we had to put her down. That still ranks as one of the saddest days of my life.
My sister and I rocking the matching track jackets with our sweet dog
In high school, I became a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that trains service dogs. I picked up a perky, eight week old yellow lab puppy from the airport and I immediately knew that Sully would be a handful. I wasn't wrong, but he was still a sweet dog. He was only with us for a short period of time, but I still loved him.
Doesn't he look thrilled to be in his training cape?
I began searching for dogs. I used petfinder.com, and it led me to Project POOCH. Project POOCH is at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. Select youth there train dogs and prepare them for adoption. Now, by this point, you know how I have a passion for prison, and once I heard about what these dogs do for the youth, I knew I had to meet a couple dogs. I met two very sweet dogs, one of which came for a home visit. I loved him, but he wasn't meant to be my dog...it just didn't feel right. So the search continued. I perused the Oregon Humane Society website pretty close to daily, writing down the names of dogs that I liked. Once I had a large packet prepared, Daniel and I journeyed down to OHS. We were too late for play visits, so we just wandered through the pods, greeting through kennel doors the dogs on my list. There were a couple I really liked and thought I'd want to meet the next day. But then I found MY dog. We walked up to Lilly Bean's kennel. She was in the back on her bed, so I called her name. She trotted up to the door and flopped onto her back, exposing her belly. She looked at me with this face that said "well, aren't you going to rub my belly?" I fell in love.
The next morning, I was at OHS as soon as the doors opened. I had placed a hold on Lilly Bean the night before, so no one could come in and steal her away from me first thing in the morning. I asked to see her in a play room. They brought her in and I just knew...she was my dog. We played for about five minutes and I told the person who worked there that I was ready to take her home. She seemed surprised, but I think she understood the connection. I went through all the paperwork and adoption information, paid for my girl, and anxiously waited in the lobby for them to bring her out. We loaded her in my car and she and I headed home.
Adoption photo
I've had my girl for almost a year and a half now. I am just as in love with her as I was the day I picked her up. Sure, she has epilepsy and a massive tumor on her neck, but she is my sunshine. She's a great cuddle buddy, loves to play but isn't crazy energetic, and has gotten over her abusive past quite nicely.
People say I rescued Lilly Bean. Which is true, I guess. But here's the thing...I think she rescued me. She makes me happy and reminds me that simple, unwavering love is the best kind of love there is.
My sweet girl
