Well.
I did not intend to get another dog until Duchess Wagoner crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, but sometimes things just happen... as they are supposed to.
On Wednesday May 30, I was certain the Duchess was leaving this Earth. Had planned to call Dr. Brian, she was all bad, etc. My IRL BFF Amy brought not one but two doxie puppies, only 4 weeks old (born May 1) to visit me in hopes of cheering me up and with every intention of making sure one or both of them became Wagoners when they were old enough.
One was bossy and barky and thought she was a Rottie, the other was chillaxed and mellow.
I was glad they were too young, because I was an emotional and physical train wreck. I knew there was no way I could deal with dying Duchie and two needy puppies.
Amy had been to my house with me to check on Duchie and we had lain in the floor with Duchie and cried for quite some time that very day, then she went to her office and lo and behold there was a man with..... two Doxie puppies. A lady in her office wanted one and the litter was only three.
When she arrived beaming "it's a GOD THING!" with the sisters wrapped in her scarf, I flat out called my BFF a liar, to her face, because I was convinced she had searched high and low for a puppy, etc. Because she would, and she's like that. Amy is an incredibly giving person and wants to help heal hearts... and she knows how I love the Dutch.
The man with the puppies had taken his dog to get her spayed and the vet said "um. Too late, there are puppies!" and they let her have them - I believe she will be spayed very soon.
She asked me about them again later and I just said "Amy, I can't do two puppies and Duchie. She's my #1 priority."
And she is.
Nothing could ever make me NOT take care of her to the best of my ability.
I am not trying to replace her. There will never be another Duchie. She is my heart dog.
Amy called a week later and asked if I was sure about the puppies, and I said I just couldn't do it, and then she called a couple days later and said they were going (together) to a good home.
THEN yesterday she called and asked me what time I'd be home... This was after I had sent out some PMs that I thought it was time to help Duchie over the bridge....
and Amy showed up with ONE puppy - the one who thinks she is a Rottie. I was floored, because they were gone, adopted, off the table... and she handed it to me and said simply "here. I love you and I love Duchie and your heart is breaking and Duchie needs to hand over the keys to the kingdom before she Crosses the Bridge. This is the heir to the throne."
I was poleaxed.
The man Savannah came from has texted Amy no fewer than four times already to see how it was working out, have I named her, is it going to be a good fit, etc... And she said when she went to see the puppies the first time, the mommy looked like Duchie and the man and his wife collect Hot Diggety Dogs.
So... FOREVER Duchiesmom... and now Savannah'sMom, too.
Duchie is OK with Savannah and I have been very careful to give Duchie plenty of room and not allow her routine or rest to be disturbed.