Hold on puppies! We are on our way!

…Continued from “And Then She Graced Her Littermates”

Exactly one week later, E got the call!  Grace’s littermates were ready to go home and they wanted us to pick them up.  We jumped in the car and headed out.  This time the journey didn’t feel as far and my nerves were more at ease. 

One-by-one, the teenaged girls handed us puppies over the mesh fence.  Each one looked completely different from the next.  Some took on Dad’s features.  He was a handsome fellow, half Shar Pei and half Beagle, dark in color.  Mom, on the other hand… well… that one was hard to say.  She was big, white and fluffy… long hair, sweet as a melon.  Neither E or I could place even one breed on that dog.  Both were about fourty or fifty pounds and beautiful. 

The girls were sad to see the puppies leave and begged their parents to let them keep one each.  E did everything she could to convince them it was best to let them all come home with us (cause the two of us definitely needed nine puppies!).  In the end, they refused to let go of one little white and tan male, claiming their friend would give him a home.  We reluctantly gave in and headed home with our new litter. 

We spent the next several hours bathing and vetting (my technical term for giving shots/meds/etc.) the puppies.  They were covered in fleas, filled with worms and filthy from living outside. 

Eventually, we settled on names and Grace’s littermates became the “Flintstone Puppies”.  Let me introduce:

Fred – Yep… this is my big man as a tiny puppy.  Grace walked right in and settled into my heart.  I knew a piece of her would always be with me.  I just didn’t realize how literal that would be.  Fred looked the most Shar Pei of the group from the time he came home.  He is resting his head on my arm as I type this.

Barney – He was adopted to a family that lives out of the area.  I have not heard from them in a long time, but I am confident he is doing great.  Wasn’t he adorable!?!?!

Wilma – Later renamed, Willow.  She was adopted by a wonderful young couple that adore her.  She also looked similiar to a Pei and absolutely stole my heart as a baby.  She went for the best home ever – and found it!

Wilma (now Willow), All Grown Up. 
Photo courtesy of Candace Marmet

Wilma (now Willow), All Grown Up. 
Photo courtesy of Candace Marmet

Stone – His new papa kept his name.  Stone looked just like a little Beagle as a baby… and he still does!  A whopping 75 pounds these days, he is living in an amazing home.  He underwent luxating patella surgery as an adult, but he is all healed now and living the grand life.

Pebbles – The runt of the litter, this little girl didn’t really resemble either of her parents.  She was adopted by a young couple, as their first baby.  Her Daddy does professional pet photography (definitely check out his work when you have a moment).  She couldn’t have found a better forever home.  Isn’t she beautiful?

 

Pebbles (now Mocha), All Grown Up
Photography courtesy of Derek Gurley Photography

Pebbles (now Mocha), All Grown Up
Photography courtesy of Derek Gurley Photography

Pebbles (now Mocha), All Grown Up
Photography courtesy of Derek Gurley Photography

Rubble – Another fuzzy puppy in the bunch.  I wish I could remember his forever home story and share it, but it’s not up in my head anymore.

 

Bam-Bam – Too cute!  Don’t get her confused with Betty – she has shorter hair and jaw that is more square.  

Grace’s legacy didn’t end there, however, and it wouldn’t be the last time we made our long journey into the woods… that little tan and white male that we left behind would eventually find his way into our lives.

To be continued…