Sometimes things happen that cannot be explained. My wife, Jennifer, and I recently experienced such an event.
About 15 months ago we adopted Meadow, a white Pitbull mix, from the Aiken County Animal Shelter. We had just lost our favorite dog and wanted to honor him by adopting a dog from the shelter that nobody wanted. Meadow was about 5 years old and overbred. Everyone passed her kennel at the shelter without even looking at her.
We were concerned how our two male dogs would respond to a new female dog entering their lives. We also have horses and didn’t know how Meadow would react to them.
The dogs accepted her, and she soon became the boss. On her first day, we brought our horse, Bruno, into the barn and introduced him to Meadow. We held our collective breaths when, suddenly, Bruno began to groom Meadow like horses groom each other. We had never seen a horse groom a dog! The grooming sessions became a daily ritual. Since then, Meadow and Bruno have been featured in the paper, our local Channel 12, and the story went viral on Facebook.
Meadow is a star; maybe the best dog we’ve ever owned.
The story doesn’t end there. Sadly, one of our male dogs passed away from cancer this past summer, and Jennifer was determined to adopt another dog in his honor.
This is where the plot thickens. In late November, we adopted two-year old Chloe from the shelter who, like Meadow, is a slightly smaller, overbred, white Pitbull mix. Like Meadow, she has the same soft coat and black spots subtly spread over her body. But, unlike Meadow, Chloe has a stunning black circle around one of her eyes. Except for that black spot, it’s hard to tell them apart.
Meadow and Chloe have become best buddies. They play together, cuddle, constantly kiss each other, and are inseparable. Like Meadow, Chloe immediately commandeered a spot on the most comfortable chairs and couches. Like Meadow, Chloe refused her crate and insists on sleeping on our bed.
They have many of the same habits, traits, and characteristics. We have begun to think maybe it’s more than a coincidence.
Think about it! Meadow was overbred; we know she had several litters of puppies, but we don’t know what happened to any of them. Could it be? Was it fate or some higher power that had us adopt Meadow 15 months ago? Was it fate or some higher power that brought Chloe and Meadow together this past November?
Who’s to say? So, we have made our own happy determination: Chloe is Meadow’s daughter.
That’s our Christmas story and we’re sticking to it! How lucky are we to have three, loving, goofy, happy, affectionate Pitbull mixes to make our home a joyful place? Maybe it’s time for your family to adopt the first, the second, or even a third dog and share that Christmas joy. You won’t be sorry.
FOTAS wishes you and your family a Happy Holiday Season. This year the shelter, once again, saved more than 4,000 animals, thanks to our community’s support. Thank you and God bless.
Their lives are in our hands.
— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer
