Introducing the newest member of our family ... it's a pug!

Love can find you in the most unsuspecting places.

For me, it happened yesterday, on my way to work. A regular old Monday morning, I was going over details of the week's calendar, when my cell phone rang. It was my friend Anne. Weird for a Monday Morning.

"Are you feeling blessed today?" she asked.

"Um .... should I be?" I replied.

Before I knew it I was in Anne's car, speeding down (um, driving the speed limit that is) the interstate to head to a local animal shelter. They had a two-year old male pug there, up for adoption and needing a good home.

This is not what I had in mind for my Monday morning. But there I was, trying not to get my hopes up on this sunny Birmingham morning. After we lost our beloved F. Scott Fitzpug seven months ago I'd thought about opening our hearts and home to another dog, but we didn't actively pursue it. When the time was right it would happen. I knew that it would be a rescue dog.

Anne, who rescues and fosters dogs (a true champion for them) knew of my wish, and that it would also take a special dog to burrow his way into our family, which had, after all, started with me and F. Scott so long ago. She'd made a note that I might be open to another dog in her special book where she keeps track of such things.

Then she drove me to the shelter. I would be calm. I would be level headed. I knew what we could and couldn't handle, and I didn't want to get attached. I was calm as we walked up to the room of crates filled with dogs looking for their forever homes. And I met him:

He bowled me over. Literally.

 

They estimate "PacMan" is between two and three years old. He was abandoned, a case of cruelty and surrender. When he was brought to the shelter by a Birmingham policeman he was covered in fleas and under fed. The kind folks at the shelter gave him a lot of love, and he's gained weight and is a healthy boy (even crate trained).

I filled out an application and said a prayer that we'd make the right decision.

There is no replacing F. Scott. But I got tears in my eyes when I looked into this pug's face. He looks like F. Scott, and I like to think that our founding pug has had a hand in this from where he is on the Rainbow Bridge.

But "PacMan" is unique, with his own personality and energy (boy, does this dog energy.) Being a responsible dog owner, I wanted to make sure that he would get along with Nate and Lola pug. Here they are all meeting for the first time:

 

"Can we keep this dog?" Nate asked. Today we'll tell him the great news. We didn't know he was going to come into our lives right now, but "PacMan" (forever name TBD) has decided to keep us.

Thank you Anne, thank you F. Scott, and thank you to the shelter workers who kept him alive until we could meet. (I also think my grandmother, who recently passed away and loved dogs, had a hand in this. Just last week my aunt adopted an adorable dacshaund. Coincidence? Hmm.)

We hope to honor all of you in the adventure that we begin later this week, when we bring our new, sweet pug home. Pugs are an incredible part of our family, and we're thrilled to welcome another one into our house.

As our first adopted dog, I can say the process has been incredible, and I'm honored to bring this little dude home (even if it does involve picking up random poop). Snorts and kisses; let the adventure begin ...

Related Links:

Dogingham

BJC Animal Control Animals For Adoption

A Pug: You Have To Have One? (What To Know)

 

Comments

[Carla Jean]

Erin, this nearly made me cry. I'm approaching my one-year anniversary with my sweet Macca kitty (which also means I'm approaching the one-year anniversary of my Emma's death). Having her around has been such a blessing. There's really not a better word for it.

[Hugh]

Welcome to the family, TBD!

[Dogingham]

*tear* Erin, I'm so beyond thrilled for you and your fam. I'm sure Lola will really enjoy having a snortle buddy at home once again too. Many, many hugs! And thanks for the related links hat tip! I can't wait to hear more. Love the video. More please!

[Erin]

Thanks everyone! We can't wait to welcome him home. Jessica, I promise more video. Would also love to meet up at the dog park at some point -- this little dude needs to run.

Carla Jean, glad that Macca kitty has brought you joy after losing Emma. Family!

[Charlotte]

This is so great! Yay!!