Yuki poses at our local dog park.
Kristen Seymour
On a warm fall Saturday in 2002, my fiance and I stopped in a Petsmart to buy cat litter. While he searched the aisles for the right brand, I wandered over to one of the pet-rescue groups, Puppy Hill Farm, that sets up shop in the store each weekend. I'd grown up with dogs, but my fiance hadn't, and I had yet to talk him into adopting one.
As we were about to leave the store, we both stopped in our tracks. A young couple was bringing in a black Labrador mix puppy, and we overheard something about it being their roommate's dog, for which they couldn't provide care after the roommate had dropped out of school and moved home. It took my husband about five seconds to fall in love with this puppy. It took me less time.
We named the dog Yuki, and she quickly became an enormous part of our lives. Yuki exhibited typical puppy behavior, but was eager to please and very smart, so although she was large (about 60 pounds), she went everywhere with us. We took her tailgating, to outdoor restaurants, up to Canada for vacation, and she was even in our wedding. She was the perfect running buddy, but was gentle enough to take on visits to my grandmother's nursing home.
Just try finding a cuter puppy than Rudi!
Kristen Seymour
Rudi and Yuki were great playmates, running across fields so fast that you could see only black streaks. Rudi was a little tougher to train than Yuki, but made up for it by being adorable and cuddly, with a nature I can describe only as "floppity." By the time of her second birthday, though, she'd become pretty much perfect in every way, like her big sister.
Sadly, we lost Yuki to a brain tumor about two months ago. Though it will be a while before we're ready to adopt another pooch, we know that Rudi would really like a playmate. So for the time being, we are fostering a shelter dog named Blackie, an 11-month-old black-Lab mix.
Blackie is an amazing companion for Rudi, and though he has lots of energy, he's remarkably well-behaved -- great on leash, completely housebroken, and totally affectionate. I'm excited to find the perfect permanent home for Blackie, and thrilled to have him until then.
Fostering is the right choice for my family right now. We'll adopt again in the future, but in the meantime it feels great to provide a temporary home for a dog who just wants to be loved. After having these three amazing dogs in my life, I am certain that there's nothing a pedigree could add to the joy they've provided. I only wish I had room for more of them!
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Those of us who are loved by our domestic pets can only say "Amen" to this story. Our family has been blessed with the love of several cats and dogs during the last 40 years. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a fourlegged family member. With their love comes the human committment necessary to ensure creature happiness. It is obvious that this couple has that committment. Bless you for sharing your story with its joys and sorrows.
Why not adopt Blackie?
I know how you feel!! My brother bought a full blooded Silver Lab and he couldn't take care of her, so my father has had her for the past 2 years and when I moved in with my boyfriend my father told me he was going to get rid of her and I begged my boyfriend to let me bring her inside and now that we have her she is like our kid and goes everywhere with us. She is our bestfriend and when she plays with the cat it makes us so glad to know that we have her! Thank you for sharing your story... it made a tear come to my eye! Yall are wonderful people! God Bless Yall!