Tuesday, October 3, 2017

How Bruce Springsteen came to be - the dog, not the man

I know this is a post about how we got our dog, but I should be honest and say up front that I don't care how you get your dogs. I don't care if you're an adopt don't shop person, if you have a preferred shelter, if you have a preferred breeder, if you get them from a friend with a dog who had puppies, if you prefer to foster dogs versus own them, if you pick your puppy up off the side of the road, if you take a dog in someone is giving away. I don't care if you get whatever dog you click with at the time or if you look for a specific breed. I don't like that pet stores encourage puppy mills to remain in business, but at the end of the day I don't even care if you get your dog from there. Because all dogs need homes - puppies, older dogs, behavior problem dogs, pet store dogs, big dogs, small dogs, all freaking dogs.

I do care that you get the dog that is right for your family. At this time, I don't get big dogs because I don't have the time to give them the exercise they need and I don't have a yard big enough for them to get that on their own. Getting one because I'd like one would be good for me, shitty for the dog. Do your research. Think about how this dog will fit into your life now and five or 10 years from now. Weigh your ability to care for it this year and next year and eight years from now. Dogs depend on us to make good decisions starting with taking them into our homes. They are family. They deserve love, time, attention, excellent medical care, and quality food. And if you cannot give them any of those things for any reason at any point in time, you can give them the next best thing to your home: a new one where they will get all of that.

I will never judge you for how you get your dogs, but I will judge the shit out of you for treating them poorly.

Let me remove myself from my soapbox to tell you how Bruce Springsteen the dog came to be.

When Geege died, I knew before he even went that we'd get another dog. I didn't know when or how, but I knew we'd get one. Two no longer felt like the right number, especially as the two dogs remaining were not bonded to each other at all and were missing the oil that made the engine run. To state the obvious, this puppy does not replace Geege. That's not how it works. In fact he makes me miss Geege more, and the first time I cried about Geege in over a week was the second day we had him. But he also makes me laugh and reminds me that even though my heart is shaped differently now from breaking and reassembling, it does still work as it should in giving and receiving love. 

Geege came to us via re-homing, as did Mae. I assumed this time we'd do the same for another dog, take one in who needed a home. I made some inquiries. Lori mentioned a puppy in Egg Harbor Township, and I was like nah.  I set up a meeting for Saturday morning for a pug in Lancaster that needed to be re-homed. That lady flaked on me and I thought let me put the brakes on this dog search. The more I thought about it the more I realized it would not be a good move for Mae or Gus or us to take in an older dog at this time. We needed an injection of youth. Nothing I came across felt like the right move, but it still felt like the right time. I think when someone or in this case somedog dies, you never stop missing them. The right time is when you think is the right time, whether that's the next day or never. 

I was looking for replacement dressers for the shore in the South Jersey Craigslist, searching by furniture and town when a listing for pug puppies came up in the shore town where we first took Gus and Geege as young dogs. People like me take a listing that comes up in the wrong place as a sign, 

I contacted the woman on Wednesday before I could even stop myself. Internally we had a lot of back and forth, mostly on MFD's part. We made an appointment for Saturday morning just to see. Well, for MFD to see...as soon as I woke up on Friday I knew in my gut it was right. I even ordered a crate and puppy stuff just in case.

Bruce Springsteen's dog dad Leo is now fixed, but as it happens Leo and dog mom Mia ended up with four puppies. The owners couldn't keep because they didn't have the space. They were really nice people, the puppies were well loved and well cared for, and the puppy parents were such good dogs. We will be keeping in touch so they can see Bruce as he grows up since we're only two towns over. I could not have asked for a better scenario.

Meanwhile if you told me a week ago I'd have a puppy on Saturday I would have laughed in your face. Life is funny. 

Bruce is home, and it's like he was always supposed to be here. We are all happy. And I know Geege led me to him, which makes me really happy.

When it's right, it's right. Another lesson in going with your gut even when it makes you feel crazy...maybe especially then. 

And if you got here because you were looking for how Bruce Springsteen the man came to be, there's a book for that.

Thanks to both of our moms for puppy help today! It takes a village even when they're furry.

30 comments:

  1. I'm glad you & Bruce found your way to each other. He's adorable!

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  2. We got Sasha in a random way, too. You know I believe in meant to be and trust your gut. Bruce Springsteen is a perfect fit. Very important not to get a dog if you can't care for them. Thanks to the universe for our wonderful lives. See you later, little Bruce Springsteen ❣️
    Love. Your. Momma.

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  3. I think Bruce is amazingly adorable. I love his forced-youthfulness on the rest of the family. The pictures of him & Mae make my heart scream. Dogs are simply the best.

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  4. he's SO CUTE!!! so glad that he made his way to you guys.

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  5. Bruce is so cute/adorable! He looks like he's exactly where he's supposed to be. And I so agree with the first part of your post - the decision to get a dog affects more than the humans and what goes into that decision depends on more than just "I just wanna get one".

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  6. He has the cutest lil face, what a sweetie.

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  7. Like I said to you before, when it all falls into place like this, it was meant to be. I'm sure Geege had a hand (or a paw) in making sure you guys were put together. Bruce won't replace him, for sure, but I'm sure he's already making a new place in your heart forever :)

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  8. Bruce the pup has a cute face!! He looks so innocent.

    I keep imagining the scene from Finding Nemo where Bruce is at the fish are friends meeting.

    Steph: this. Is. Bruce!
    Mae/Gus: Hiiiiii Bruce!

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  9. I totally agree with you that when the timing is right you'll know when it's time to get another dog. Growing up after our dog Gracie passed unexpectedly, we got two new puppies almost immediately because we needed a dog in the house and while it really hurt our hearts and made us miss her more, it was the right time for us. I'm glad that Bruce Springsteen is fitting into your home!

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  10. I am so glad that you guys were led to Bruce. Obviously his posting was meant for you to see! He is adorable, and clearly a great addition!

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  11. Totally meant to be.
    When we lost Buffy, we got Harvey Dent & I know it was a healing gift to us... & even more so to have him when we lost Sydney. These dogs come into your life exactly when they are supposed to.
    & I get it - 3 to me is the perfect dog number. THough I did love having 4, I always want to keep at least 3. Its like siblings - they all need a partner when they're mad at one another. 3 works out well for that.

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  12. He's such a handsome young man! I knew when Emeril passed that I would get another cat. It took almost 3 weeks, which felt too soon because my heart was broken so badly but all I did was sit on my sofa and cry, so it had to be done. And just like Emeril, Max was the first cat I saw at the humane society. I wanted a black and white tuxedo cat, but I kept coming back to this oversized ginger and took him home. You know when it's right. I'm glad you and MFD (along with Mae and Gus) are giving Bruce a new home and loving family.

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  13. I believe that my dog we had growing up, Caitlin, led me to Hawkeye, definitely. It's not crazy at all. It took me longer though, about 6 months. I also had no intention of getting a dog, my friend just wanted to kill time playing with shelter cats, but Hawkeye spoke to me, clearly, and here we are! Life is funny that way. Bruce is going to have the best life, he has no idea. I love him already.

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  14. Bruce is so cute and I obviously love his name. So fitting for where you got him, and due to your love of the boss :) I'm so happy for this new addition to your little family but I am also sure your emotions are still all over the place!! I hope the dogs become fast friends and the adjustment period goes well.

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  15. You are definitely a three-dog family. So happy you were able to find Bruce. Or maybe you found each other.

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  16. Such a sweet looking pup! I am glad it all worked out for you!

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  17. Hes adorable. Ive always said that all dogs and cats need love not just shelter cats. I have an adopted kitty and my sister has an (expensive) lilac point Ragdoll cat - it. does. not. matter. They're both spoilt and leaving the bred animals at the breeders isnt helping either. Whatever.

    Glad Geege led you to Bruce. One of the cutest pups I ever did see. Glad Mae has a little buddy again!

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  18. i totally agree about how you get your dog. all dogs need a home and it's not right to punish the dogs at pet stores or breeders just because there are dogs that need adopting as well. we found one of our dogs on the side of the road and got the other at a pet store. we got all 3 cats from a shelter that sets up in a pet store. all animals need homes :)
    i'm glad bruce came into your life. he is absolutely adorable and seems perfect. when it's right, it's right.

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  19. Aww, love this! And I love how you are honoring Geege with him. And I'm with you - I will judge the shit out of a bad dog owner. Bruce is a lucky boy!

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  20. Oh so sweet! Welcome home Bruce. He is so adorable!! When it is right, it is right. Congrats.

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  21. Synchronicities are not accidents! When we pay attention, we see that we are led to where we belong.

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  22. What a cutie! It makes me miss baby Lola except the potty training.

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  23. <3 to all---keep trusting your instincts

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  24. Please keep posting videos. There is nothing that makes me smile bigger than puppies. Congrats to you and Bruce to finding each other.

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  25. Perfect new edition to the family! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  26. That pic of him sleeping on you is precious.

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  27. That face, my goodness. I just adore puppies, they're such happiness and joy. Can't wait to see all of the adventures this little guy gets up to.

    I especially like the name. Bruce always holds a special place in my heart because it was my dad's name. <3

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  28. I would have taken that listing in the wrong place as a sign too. I must admit that I'm mildly obsessed with your Bruce. He's so stinking adorable. How/why did you guys decide on his name?

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  29. he's just the cutest thing! I could not agree with you more about the whole where you get your dog debate. I think puppy mills are disgusting, but I, like you, believe that ALL dogs need a home regardless of how they came to be. Gatsby is our designer dog, and Lyla is our rescue. they're both so awesome and we love them so much. Happy you have the 3 dog gang back together.

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