Almost a year...

​It's coming up on a year since Petey Podengo entered my life. I thought in the next few posts I'd give an account of our time together.

For 12 years, I had the greatest pleasure of owning a little rescue dog, Brownie. This brown Aussie mix meant everything to me, especially after my husband died. There's too much to tell about my relationship with Brownie. When I've tried writing about her, I always cry. 

In June 2015, I had to put her down. It absolutely was the hardest thing I've ever done, I could not sleep and cried every day in the weeks that followed. I finally told my friend Janie that I didn't think I would ever get through my grief.

Another friend gave me a little border collie mix to try out. I kept her for a few weeks, had her spayed, but it didn't work out. I had to let her go, but Janie told me she had a pup lined out for me from a litter belonging to her friend, Allen Voortman, owner of Pride and Joy Dairy.

I waited, day after day, week after week- we were waiting for Allen to find time to bring it down from his ranch in Washington.

Finally, I said, "Janie, can I at least see a photo of the pup?" She gave me Allen's phone number.

In my first phone call with Allen, he made the following very clear:
"He is a boy, not a girl."
"His name is Pete, not Petey. My wife calls him Petey, but it's Pete."
"He's a boy."

I assured Allen that I knew about boys. I had raised two sons who were well-adjusted adults, responsible citizens who contributed to society and were raising families of their own. Upon this information, Allen relaxed in knowing he had made his point.

A phone call, a connection, and I received an email with this:

Attitude- that's for sure!

​"Sgt. Pete" I thought when I saw this. I cried tears of laughter and joy, mixed with sorrow over Brownie. "I've got to have this dog," I determined, and as December 2015 settled in, I watched the weather for a clear window for me to make the round trip to Washington.

As I worked on this traveling plan, Allen notified Janie he was coming to Wallowa County with the pup. More tears of excitement as I counted down the days and wondered about this little guy... (to be continued)

Spoiled?

A worrier?