I just went to *look*. Really, I did. I simply could not stay in the house with all of Tasha's empty beds and abandoned toys. I went to a place the kids and I have helped to train therapy animals (the theory being, if the animals can't get along with MY kids, they aren't going to do very well in the occupational therapy setting....) over the years. The owner took one look at me and asked me if I wanted a private room. Oh God, yes please, and the Big box of tissues. I sat on the floor and he brought in their newest trainee. She sat in my lap, sighed, and closed her eyes. I wept. She stood up on her back legs and licked the tears from my face. She brought me a squeaky toy shaped like a fish. I looked at her collar. Blonde, female, birthday on the 20th. Could she be any more perfect? Probably not. She is exactly the size of the hole in my heart, and I swear, I've never seen a dog that looked more like a SHEEP. Sometimes Mercy and Grace pour down all at once and you just have to say YES. The boss Man came back to check on me and declared as how she probably was going to be too small, you know, to go out and work in the field with their regular therapists, so she might be for sale if I was interested. That smell is my melting credit card, which I hadn't left home without. She loved the ride home in the Mommymobile, and when I introduced her to my Daughter bird, she said "Thank GOD, I thought Mommy was going to cry her eyes out. You came just in time, Sandy." Today we are going for our well puppy check up and to meet the boy bird after he gets off work. Sandra Dee Fluffball, therapy Dog.
Welcome to the Wonderful world of answered prayers.
Greta, she's so cute, congrats on the new addition to your family. My eyes watered as I read your post!
Posted by: Brenda | May 27, 2004 at 10:00 AM
When you said there would be a new puppy, you MEANT it! WOW!
She's adorable!
Enjoy!
Posted by: Christy | May 27, 2004 at 10:05 AM
She's a cutie!
Posted by: monica | May 27, 2004 at 10:35 AM
She's lovely! Tasha is smiling down at you all...
hugs!
Posted by: Caroline | May 27, 2004 at 10:36 AM
What a little cutie!! Some things are just meant to be, and clearly Sandra Dee Fluffball was waiting just for you. Congratulations on your new friend.
Posted by: Jane | May 27, 2004 at 10:46 AM
Damn....you got me crying now Greta ! But it is true about getting a puppy right away ...may not fill the hole in the heart entirely but puppies do grow and completely fill it in short order !
She is a doll !
Debbie
Posted by: debbie klement | May 27, 2004 at 11:14 AM
Oh, she is a doll! I love the baby pictures...especially the one of her in a bowl. I'm so happy that the two of you found each other.
Therapy dog? How sweet is that?
Posted by: annie | May 27, 2004 at 11:18 AM
What a melt-your-heart cutie! It sounds like love at first sight, and a perfect match. Congratulations to you.
Posted by: Vicki | May 27, 2004 at 11:24 AM
Welcome Sandra Dee. Grow well and fuzzy!
Posted by: stonering | May 27, 2004 at 11:31 AM
Welcome, Sandra Dee. You could not be any cuter, and I know you'll never want for love.
Posted by: Em/Michelle | May 27, 2004 at 11:51 AM
She is so cute! And I am so happy that you found each other.
Posted by: Debra | May 27, 2004 at 12:00 PM
Omigosh! How soon can we come meet her? And does she have litter mates? I am so happy your heart-hole's been filled ~
Posted by: maggi | May 27, 2004 at 12:31 PM
Oh dearest! I've not had access to a computer, so I've been uninformed. I am here on Cape Cod amongst the raindrops and the lilacs and missing reading all my favorite blogs. Welcome, Miss Sandra Dee indeed. Love, love, love to you all.
Posted by: Nathania | May 27, 2004 at 01:03 PM
Sandra Dee is beautiful. What breed is she? She looks like she has some poodle. Daughter bird is the sweetest. I hope boy bird loves her just as well. Take care.
Posted by: Kathleen | May 27, 2004 at 01:35 PM
How could Boy Bird not love her? And life without pets is no life, grief and all! Loosing a beloved pet is awful, but the years of happiness and love more than make up for the months of grief. Love to you and Sandy.
Posted by: Joan in Reno | May 27, 2004 at 01:46 PM
Dear Sandra,
Please excuse your new mom for crying all over you...she is delighted with you.
Biscuits and hugs for all!
Posted by: Carrie | May 27, 2004 at 02:28 PM
Somethings are just meant to be! Tasha must have been looking down orchestrating this all, smiling a big doggy smile when Sandra Dee hooked you. Congrats on the new addition!
Posted by: Sue | May 27, 2004 at 02:32 PM
I am so, so sorry about Tasha. I sometimes look at Deedle and wonder what I'm going to do when she goes! Sandra Dee looks like she is going to bring you MUCH laughter (and she gives a new definition to "playing with your food" in that photo").
Posted by: Mariko | May 27, 2004 at 03:01 PM
I hope little Sandra Dee F. helps you remember Tasha with smiles instead of tears. Big sloppery puppy kisses to both of you.
Posted by: Bethany | May 27, 2004 at 03:01 PM
Oh, Greta, I am so glad about Sandy. She's adorable!
Posted by: susan in pa | May 27, 2004 at 03:08 PM
My heart goes out to you as you grieve for Tasha. WHat type of dog? Poodle? Pig Dog would be in love if he saw her. WHen we meet you will have to bring her. Sandra Dee, great name after one of my all time mindless favorite movies!!! Must send Greta Greese movie for Sandy! LOL
Are the kids handling Tashas' passing ok? Do yall need anything? If so email or call.
Posted by: Melissa | May 27, 2004 at 03:25 PM
Look! It's Caroline! Right? 'Cause when she was a little tiny baby she was a sheep -- and what you've got here is obviously a little tiny baby sheep!
I was at first thinking "Poodle," but now I've definitely decided "Sheep."
Congrats on the new addition, Greta; she looks like a wonderful baby to have!
Posted by: MaryB | May 27, 2004 at 03:58 PM
Looks to me like Sandra Dee is the perfect sized therapy dog - because she is just what you need! I know my heart is a little lighter today after seeing that sweet ball of fluff.
Posted by: Bliss | May 27, 2004 at 04:15 PM
She's wonderful, Greta.... she looks just like my parent's dog did.... he was half-poodle...
Posted by: Melissa | May 27, 2004 at 05:34 PM
Perfect.
Posted by: Loose Ends Melissa | May 27, 2004 at 05:47 PM
I was so sorry to hear about Tasha, but so glad to hear about Sandy! Your daughter's comment was lovely. Sandy's eyes tell me you and she will have wonderful years together.
Posted by: MaryM | May 27, 2004 at 06:50 PM
I didn't cry when you sent me the photos, but upon reading this I did. Kiss her AGAIN for me, please. Bless her heart, and yours.
Posted by: Rachael | May 27, 2004 at 07:37 PM
I'm so sorry about Tasha. Sandra Dee seems like just the therapy you need right now.
Posted by: Christina | May 27, 2004 at 08:37 PM
Congratulations new Mama! So sorry to read about your late dog yesterday and SO glad you did what you did today. Nothing like falling in love to ease some of the pain.. Such a cutie!
Posted by: amy | May 27, 2004 at 10:43 PM
That is the cutest puppy ever.
Posted by: claudia | May 27, 2004 at 11:05 PM
Well, Greta, you had me crying at the story of Tasha. Now you have me crying at the welcome of dear sandy! She is adorable and just the cure for a broken heart! What a sweet face!
And.....(I can't resist, you know) you named her after me. Well. Fancy that! haha!
Enjoy!
Posted by: sandy | May 28, 2004 at 06:51 AM
Greta, I think we're ALL crying! I love your new little furry angel!
Posted by: Wendy | May 28, 2004 at 07:20 AM
we are all crying! sadness & joy all mixed together best wishes for your new addition, dog/lamb she's perfection!
Posted by: ann | May 28, 2004 at 09:04 AM
AWWWWWWWWWW! Fuzzzy wuzzzy puppy love! OH! I want to hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him and call him George! :)
Posted by: Gina | May 28, 2004 at 09:09 AM
Sandy looks JUST dandy. Definitely a cutie patootie.
Posted by: lillium | May 28, 2004 at 09:20 AM
Dear Greta,
I'm so glad to know you have a ball of puppy fur to cry in and laugh with while you mourn Tasha. Best wishes to you and the bird-children. And don't forget to get the puppy up to speed on baseball ASAP.
thanks for sharing so much with your faithful readers.
Posted by: LindaM | May 28, 2004 at 12:30 PM
Maybe she's too small for their regular sort of therapy, but she's clearly just right for Greta-therapy! And a dog that gives new meaning to "sheepdog" is perfect for you. I'm glad you found such an adorable way to help heal your heart.
Posted by: J Strizzy | May 28, 2004 at 01:33 PM
Oh, couldn't be cuter! Looks like she has some bichon frise in her. I have a bichon named Vincent. He reminds me, too, of a sheep -- or often a bunny! How could a dog be all those things? Congratulations on the new baby!
Posted by: Norma | May 29, 2004 at 07:43 AM
Beautiful. Beautiful story. Beautiful dogs. Tasha is with Ike and Pokey now, in dogheaven, telling stories about her humans.
Posted by: Bess | May 29, 2004 at 04:56 PM
Doors close and windows open. Tasha will never leave your heart, but she has brought Sandra Dee into it. Out of loss grows more love. It's a good way to say goodbye.
Posted by: Sharon | May 29, 2004 at 08:00 PM
We went out and got a dog after our last one died. It's the best thing you can do for yourself. Your lost pal isn't replaced but another is there to distract you from the pain and to bring some laughter and fun back into your life. Our vet said getting another dog quickly was a great way to commemorate the life of the dog just lost. What a darling little thing and just love her name!
Posted by: margene | May 30, 2004 at 09:01 AM
Oh Greta - my heart just melts for you - RIP lovely Tasha!
Thank you for sharing your new found joy with Little Fluff S.D.
So precious and wonderful - my she make your heart SING!
Posted by: Bonne Marie | May 30, 2004 at 09:23 AM
My husband and I share your thoughts. Our lives have been blessed with three new rescues. Our hearts were also ripped a part in the last two years with the sudden deaths of the two best companions ever.
Posted by: Lacy | May 30, 2004 at 02:42 PM
Sure looks like a poodle to me! Cream or possibly a light apricot I'm guessing. I love them, I grew up with a houseful, they are smart and sure they're people. She's for sure Mostly Poodle if not all, and I love the name! I'm so sorry about Tasha. I lost my dogchild several years ago and I still miss my dear Baileydog but Murphy is a fine family member - not a substitute for the other dogchild, because you can't replace a dog you lost, but a new love is good. "Look at me I'm Sandra Dee...." Precious!
Posted by: Catherine | May 30, 2004 at 05:15 PM
I'm so glad that you and the wee one found each other! Sometimes it's just meant to happen that way. We were adopted by our youngest cat when another recently adopted kitty died suddenly - the new kitten had been abandoned at our vet's. At first I thought it was too soon for me, but as soon as I saw him, I just melted. Many, many years of joy and love together!
Posted by: Mindy | May 30, 2004 at 06:53 PM
Oh, I'm sorry about Tasha, what a beautiful face. My condolences.
Sandra Dee is indeed a gorgeous little sheepy doggy. A new friend when you need one, perfect.
Posted by: Silvia | May 31, 2004 at 01:40 AM
Good work, honey.
Glad the puppy's got a home.
Glad you've got a puppy.
Posted by: Anne | May 31, 2004 at 09:04 AM