Who knew how completely our lives would change two years ago when we first laid eyes on a skinny and balding, 5 year-old, twice-abandoned and neglected pup with the unfortunate name of “Snowy.” Mike and I had been searching for a ray of sunshine to fill a dark void that had settled on our family after our cat, Oz, passed away. It was our third trip to PAWS…and suddenly, there she was. Smiling up at us through the glass door of her little dormitory. “Aw!” we both exclaimed simultaneously. And that was that. We knew that very second she was meant to be a part of our family. After much deliberation, we renamed her Dorey, which means “good gift.” Just how good of a gift, we had no idea.
Sure…she can be a total handful sometimes. We fought a long battle with barking and separation anxiety that nearly drove us crazy. Dorey once charged one of my friends when he stopped by for a visit and riped a hole in his pants. That was awesome. She also depantsed a complete stranger who was minding his own business, jogging by while we were on a walk one day. I mean…what do you even say when something like that happens? Pretty sure I stood there in the middle of the sidewalk, humiliated and stunned, mouthing the words “I’m so sorry” over and over again until the stranger half-laughed and ran away (at a quicker pace). And let’s not forget about the Christmas morning when Dorey jumped my family’s beloved, fragile mini schnauzer because Mia had the audacity to sniff one of Dorey’s new treats. Merry Christmas, everyone! Oy.
But there is just no feeling in the world like the one when she looks earnestly into my eyes with her big, brown ones. There is a level of understanding and love and concern there that I have never experienced with an animal before. We’re best buds, Dorey and me, through the good, the bad and the ugly. Mike and I truly think that we didn’t just rescue Dorey…she rescued us, too.
So yesterday we wanted to take a second in our busy summer schedule and celebrate Dorey’s adoption day with a long evening walk in the park and a special birthday cookie, which she completely enjoyed. It’s the very least we can do for such a special girl. Here’s to many more good years with our D.D. Girl Dog!
