Gotcha Day...One Year

One year ago today The Man & I picked up Molly and brought her home.  We had recently bought our house and we could now have a dog.  We had both been wanting to add a dog to our family. We couldn't while we lived on base since we already had 2 cats and 2 pets is the limit..  I was a little concerned about how the boys would take it.  We figured Allen would be fine...we were a little worried about Edgar.  We decided that a slightly older dog would be better.  A puppy with all of their exuberance would just freak Ig out.  We'd never see him again as he would live in hiding.

I had been checking out petfinder.com several times a day.  Most of the dogs in the shelter were a mix of pit bull.  I know some people love the breed...but I don't.  None of the dogs called to us, though if we had enough land we would have taken them all!  So I started looking on Craigslist.  I met one dog and it fell through.  The problem was The Man was in NY and we wanted to wait until he was home to get the dog.  We both wanted to be there when we picked our dog up.  So I kept looking.  It felt like it took forever but in reality it was only a few days before I saw this:

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Yellow Lab

Date: 2010-05-13, 10:25PM

Molly is a 6 year old Yellow Labrador Mix. She was adopted years ago from the Humane society in Georgia. Since relocating to the Washington area, we do not have the room to provide her with adequate space to play or exercise. Molly is Excellent with Children and Loves to Play Fetch and Swim. She has a slight aggression to other dogs though. Molly has been Spaid and Her Rabies Vaccine is up to date until 2012.

• Location: Bangor Sub Base
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

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Meeting Molly

I emailed The Man the ad and he agreed that it sounded like Molly might be a fit.  I got in touch with them and we set up at time for me to meet Molly.  I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.  She was super friendly and loveable.  They family also had two cats and she got along great with them.  One of them was blind and would often sleep next to Molly.  She was perfect!  I took a few photos and emailed them to The Man.  He agreed that we could have Molly.  Best of all, the family was willing to keep her until the 23rd.

We headed over to get her after church.  The family has 3 kids and the oldest was very sad Molly was getting a new home.  The other two were also sad but not was aware.  We spent a little time chitchatting and then we loaded all of Molly's stuff, plus Molly in the Jeep.  The Man had a quick conversation with her letting her know that she was coming to live with us and that we would take good care of her.  I tell you, I KNOW she understood him.  She said goodbye to her family and came with us.  We've spoiled her ever since!

She's the best puppy.  She comes when she's called.  She loves her tennis ball and that's all she'll chew one.  We only put a leash on her when we're going to be around other dogs.  Sometimes she growls at them.  Sometimes.  She LOVES the water and we love taking her swimming.  She's queen of the sofa.  She loves car rides, even just to the store and back.  The kitties were a bit apprehensive at first but they get along fine now.  Edgar doesn't love her but he tolerates her, which is what we hoped for.  I think she's growled at the boys maybe 3 times in the past year. 

Molly swimming with daddy

An Alleycat pillow

Forced Family Fun

Sleeping on Mom

I could keep going with the photos.  She really is the best puppy ever.  We tell her that all the time!  We hope she'll be with us for many, many, many years to come!

Molly riding in the car during the cross country drive