Puppy Love

Our friends, Ryan and Lindsay Lash from Happy Hollow Farms, told us about their sweet litter of golden retriever puppies. When they were about four weeks old, we went over to collect a few pumpkins, fly the drone over their farm, and, of course, sneak a peek at the little cuties! Not once did I think that, in just a few short weeks, we would be bringing one of those babies home to our farm.

As I was casually scrolling through Facebook, my attention was caught by an adorable, super fuzzy face with a pink collar. The Lashes were announcing that they had one puppy left that needed a home. Without really thinking the situation through, I immediately called Curtis. Oddly enough, he wasn’t very reluctant… and he said it was up to me and the boys—dangerous verbiage when it comes to animals these days! It was a unanimous decision to go get the puppy.

I grew up with puppies all my life. My mom owned and operated a kennel with Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Huskies, Elkhounds, Boxers, and Sheep Dogs. I remember my mom staying up super late to care for her dogs when they were having litters, and I remember the many responsibilities that came with having a dog.

When I was six, I had my own dog. She was a Golden Labrador Retriever, and I named her Wednesday because I got her on a Wednesday… really original, I know! Goodness, I loved that dog. Shortly after I got my license, Wednesday got really sick. She had surgery, but it was unsuccessful in stopping the tumors. I remember being so heartbroken. Unfortunately, after she passed, I built a wall toward getting attached to another animal.

So, going into this decision of bringing home a puppy, I had all kinds of emotions. Any reservations I had disappeared quickly when I saw the joy in the boys’ eyes as they held her, oohed and awed over her, and cuddled her all the way home. She was so tiny, but she filled a big gap we didn’t even know needed filling.

I suggested the name Sadie. The Lashes had recently lost one of their family pets, and that was her name. Titus said he liked the name, but then he asked, “What does everyone think of Daisy?” No hesitation from the brothers… YES! We like the name Daisy!

At first, I tried to keep her as an outside dog and allow her to come in only on a sheet… well, that extended to the living room floor… and that led to her roaming freely all over the house. It took her about 12 weeks to be completely housebroken. Now, she’s an indoor/outdoor dog and even jumps in the car with us to run errands in town.

No, all that wasn’t the plan, but if 2020 taught us anything, it was that most of our plans can be changed very quickly and with little to no warning. I still think most of our friends and family are shocked that we have farm animals… and doubly shocked that we have a pet inside! Haha. We’re making up for those 14 years of being an animal-free farm.

"Man, what people say about dogs is really true. They like to drink out of the toilet, they tear up homework, and they love to get their bellies rubbed," said Brant.

Living a Life Set Apart,
Rachel

Scripture:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace." — Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Quote:
"Whoever said you can’t buy happiness forgot little puppies." — Gene Hill

Family. Farm. Golden Retriever.