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It Was Just Meant To Be.....

2K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  Hunter'sMom 
#1 ·
The circumstances surrounding my dogs ending up with me were both for lack of better words out of this world!

My first Golden Sammie's story goes something like this...I'd always wanted a Golden but with work, *very long hours, and living in an apartment or condo it just wasn't very conducive to owning a dog. * But then a wonderful thing happened, the company I was with for twenty years let me go...so I decided to move to the mountains and spend some time up there.

I also decided this was the perfect time to finally get my Golden and went on quest to locate one. *I was working on a time frame of a month or so because I had to get moved up there and get the cabin ready for winter. *

This was before the Internet, I can't believe I'm saying that...it sounds like my parents saying this was before television, anyway I looked in the newspapers and visited various shelters, rescue centers, back yard breeders and just couldn't find the pup I was looking for.

It looked like I was going to have to spend my first winter in the mountains by myself. *I had my Jeep all packed to make the final trip up to the cabin and decided to stop and spend the night with my brothers family as he was the half way point to my final destination.

We got to talking dogs and he said he had a good friend who had just gotten a beautiful golden pup. *He said let me give him a call and see if any more are available. *I knew it was a long shot but why not. *It turned out all the pups were either spoken for or gone but he did know of a breeder in Eugene Oregon who might have some pups available. *My brother took his number and gave it to me.

So I called up to Oregon and spoke with this person only to find out all his pups were spoken for....but he did have a close friend who he thought might still have some pups available also in Eugene.

I was beginning to lose faith but decided to give it a go. *So I called and spoke with this really nice lady who said they only had one female available and it looked like she might be taken by a couple who were looking for a dog that could be trained to help the hearing impaired...she went on to say however if we don't hear back from them today she would be available again. *She took my number and said she'd get back to me either way.

So later that night after dinner the phone rings and guess what...this breeder says the female is available, the interested couple had changed their mind. *I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!

I was already to drive 8 1/2 hours from Sacramento to Eugene to have a look at this pup!!! *So I asked her for directions and she said she was leaving for a dog show the next morning and would be gone for a week........I thought oh lord this isn't going to work out after all......she knew I was calling from California and asked where in California I was...I told her Sacramento and she said that's amazing.....that's where the show is.....I'll be there tomorrow!

So we made arrangements to meet at the show the next morning and she would have mom and the pups there. *AGAIN I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT!!!

Of course I arrived early and while waiting I keep asking myself is this really possible...is she really going to show up....and finally I saw her van pull in....she opened the door and out pored mom followed by six puppies...the mom was a doll....as they all followed mom over to the grass I asked *which one was Barley the name she had given the female pup...only one of the pups had left the pack and turned around walking back toward us...and the breeder said it must be fate...here she comes now. *And that's how I met my FeatherRiverSam, Sammie. *We spent almost thirteen wonderful years together and my first winter up here couldn't have been any better. *I can't help but think it was just meant to be.

The story behind Woody, my current golden, is almost as incredible but I think I've used up more than my share of space here so maybe I'll tell his story some other time.

How about you all...any stories about your pups that made you feel "it was just meant to be?"

Pete
 
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#2 ·
Aw! I love the story... I absolutely do not believe in coincidence. Just don't. None of my dog stories are nearly that good. Although I've been waiting on my next golden puppy (been on the waiting list for about a year) for what feels like forever that when I do finally bring her (or him) home, I just know she will be my 'meant to be' dog.... :)
 
#3 ·
Wonderful Pete, and will have to gather my stories to decide which to tell first, but wanted to say I love reading your words. They say so much about your sense of laughter your goodness of heart. You should write for a living or better yet, live next door!

Love your Woody pictures and always look for your posts! Now to think which story to write about.
 
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#5 ·
Wonderful story and yes meant to be! Angelina came to us that way. I've always had dogs and wanted my partner to have a golden for her 'first' dog, but knew a puppy was inappropriate with our work schedule. We tried Norcal rescue and got the run around for almost a year..first they would have one, then say they found a 'better home', back and forth. So, we were going to buy a puppy afterall.

Monday 7a.m. I'm looking in craigslist one last time and see the ad of Angelina and I call her (wake her) and tell her my sob story. She has the same sob story only bought that pup, kept sending it away for training and every time it came home it had to stay on the porch. Her kids were not interested, she was feeling guilty and had major stress in her marriage. 1/2 hour later she committed to me and I went to get her that night.

I remember we got there early and parked outside their long drive (large house in the Oakland hills). We see a beautiful golden go down the driveway, pick up the paper and go back. My partner says "I can't believe she is going to be ours, let give her the check first, grab the dog and go before she changes her mind". I'm like don't worry, she will not change her mind...I just KNEW it. Angelina (was named Lucy) hopped in our car and the mom had to force the kids to come say bye...they just didn't care. She is our heartdog and it truly was meant to be.
 

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#6 ·
My heart dog right now "Cozy" was a breeder return dog. I was supposed to get a puppy from a different breeder but it fell though. She decided to keep the puppy herself. I started contacting other breeders I had been in contact with before. I left messages. The last call I made before giving up. The breeder picked up the phone and said she had a female puppy who had just been returned to her an hour before. I rushed over to see the puppy and it was love at first sight. None of the other breeders ever returned my calls.
 
#8 ·
Awesome thread topic! I've actually got a really good story!

Since I was 10 we've had a dog named Hershey, who is now 16 and living the good life! And I love Hershey dearly, but I always wanted a dog to call my own, and Hershey was given to my brother as a gift from my parents when he was 14. I vividly remember having a dream when I was 13, shortly before summer holidays, and in it I had this big shaggy black dog and I loved it so much. And then, in July of that same summer, and friend and I went to the park by my house and while we were on the swings a big shaggy black dog walked by and immediately caught my eye. It looked like it was on it's own but it went on and we stayed where we were. Then, about an hour later as we were walking home, I saw the dog in the parking lot digging through a garbage can. I approached it and it let me, and I asked around if anybody owned it, but no one did or knew where it came from.

It was really skinny and had dirty, matted fur so I assumed it was a stray and I (somehow) got it to follow me home. It didn't have a tag so I kept saying , "C'mon Buddy!" Once it was home I got my parents to let it stay in the house for the night, and I then discovered that it was a she, but Buddy seemed to stick! Initially she was only allowed to stay for the night, but the next day my parents didn't have the heart to just dump her at the pound since she was so skinny and dirty! So we brought her to the vet! She had worms, and was about 30lbs underweight. The vet said that she wouldn't have lasted much longer on her own. So we kept her for a few weeks, treated the worms and fattened her up a bit! However, my parents did not want another dog long-term, so in the end she was brought to the SPCA.

I had by this time become really attached to Buddy and was really upset when she had to go. But on the plus side the local news station featured her and we were informed that someone had shown interest in her and she was in the final stages of being adopted. But as a 13 year old this did little to console me and my parents felt so bad they said they would let me adopt a new dog, and since I had for so long wanted my very own dog I agreed.

So a few days later we went back to the SPCA to look at dogs. While my dad went in to speak to someone I ran around back to see what dogs were there. And to my shock there was Buddy and the moment she saw me she went insane trying to get to me! Apparently the family that wanted her backed out at the last minute in favour of a puppy. So in the end, I got Buddy back! She was the most terrible dog you could ever imagine! She barked incessantly, was always waiting in the dark to dart out of an open door to run off (she only ever wanted to play tag, and she always came back if you didn't chase her... eventually), and dug up the garden. Walking her was a pain because she barked at everything! She was a real Marley! But all the same, she was quite literally my "dream dog" and I loved her all the same. And for all her faults, she always knew when I needed her to just be there.

Sadly, she went to the Bridge in 2008 and I miss her everyday! This is her:

 
#9 ·
My current heart boy, Clyde, (now 11yrs) was also fate I believe. We had just uprooted our family of 6 to move from NY to NC. The first thing I wanted was a puppy to help the boys transition. Called an ad in the paper, looking for a female pup (always had females before). She stated she had one male pup left, the runt of the litter. I said I really wanted a female, she convinced me to come meet him, and his parents. Needless to say, we left with our first male puppy.......he was 8 weeks old, and has been the best boy ever. Love ya Clyde!
 
#10 ·
Seventeen yrs ago I went to the Big Dog Show in Houston. I saw the Eng. Toy Spaniels for the first time. Something about them just called to me. We had lost our last Golden Boy just the year before. They were smaller and had a flat face, but it was like a magnet drew me to them. I went home and started looking but to my dismay found no breeders in Texas and nearest were the East Coast or California. Called many breeders and no litters at all. Worked at this over the months and finally gave up hope. We had a family reunion where my cousin (Vet in Calif) came and I told him of my quest. About a month later he called and said a breeder had brought in a 4 wk old ETS pup and asked him to put her down. He told me she was 100% but born with a tiny bit of nose (should be flat). He was having a really hard time with the idea of killing a baby because of only this. He remembered I was looking for one and asked if he got permission would I consider taking her. Of course I said YES! Because of her age he kept her for a month at home to make sure she ate and grew correctly. The breeder said I could have her if her name nor kennel was ever given (what a crappy thing!). Needless to say I jumped on a plane, flew to LA and got my babe. She grew with my daughters and enriched our lives until this past Christmas at days from being 16 yrs she left us to go to the Bridge. She is and will always be our Heart Dog. I think God Winked and gave us this special girl and miss her with all my heart.
 
#11 ·
One more and I will shut up!

Sootie Mae must be included in a story. She was a birddog mix, not a real birddog, but rather the dogs some people use as pack dogs to run deer down. This is not allowed, but in the boonies sometimes done. Her pregnant momma must have gotten lost and ended up in our neck of the woods. She scrounged for food and killed what she could catch, but then disappeared. A few weeks later some friends asked our help building their mobile home pad (DH has a tractor) and we were on their property. In the back was an old metal building falling down and rusted. Always one to check things out I walked over and was snooping around when out from under the building came a pup! About 6 wks old, covered in mud and soot from a fire pit nearby. I picked the poor thing up and to my surprise 12 more came out! Yep 13 puppies! We walked around looking for the Momma and found she had died and the pups had prob. been without food for a few days. Took them all home, baths, searched for fleas then all went to the Vet. Wormed, first shots but pups looked healthy. Found homes for all but the original pup and she became ours. She grew to the size of a healthy birddog, never sat but paced every minute she was awake. Never a problem, but not in her to get close to anyone overmuch. She lived to the ripe old age of 12 and is burried on our hill overlooking the pond she loved so much. Another story of a past friend who as graced our lives.
 
#15 ·
I just spent like 15 mins writing my story about moose, and the stupid internet cut out and it was all gone! ugh lol here we go again..

When me and my boyfriend decided to take the next step in our relationship and buy a house, we decided that we needed a puppy! I had grown up with dogs, and my boyfriend had lost his child hood dog a year before, so we decided to make our little family and get a pup. We researched between 3 breeds - newfoundland, bernese, and a golden. After much research, we decided on a golden, so we started our search on kijiji (canadian equivlant of craigslist) we found a breeder close to where we lived and they had one male (we decided we wanted a male). I was sold and wanted to get him right away. But with my boyfriend away studying for the UFE, it was hard to pick out a puppy without him. But he was coming home the week after we saw the add and we decided if they still had him, we would get him. But of course, once he got home, they had sold the pup. I was upset. We had searched kijiji pretty much everyday, and emailed and phoned breeders hours away, but they never had any puppies left when we called. There was one add that didn't even reply to us, so we just assumed they had none.
A few weeks later, we were going on a day trip for one of my bfs courses, we were looking on kijiji again, and decided to just call that add, and lo and behold.. they had 5 puppies left! 3 males and 1 female. We told them we would be there in about an hour if it was ok to see them. They said sure! So the drive seemed to take FOREVER, but we finally got there. I was like a kid in a pet store and I got out of the car and went right up to the puppies. I was so nervous because I was scared none would like us, and I am really big on "the perfect puppy will find you". We met the breeders, they were an older couple who had a friend put the add on kijiji and they didn't know how to use it. They were retired, and did this on their spare time. We met the parents, the father dog was HUGE and the mother dog just wanted to eat. There was another female and she was friendly, but the father dog stood up on his hind legs, and he was the side of me, and he was so friendly. After we met the parents and saw all the vet checks and whatnot, I bent down to try and grab a puppy because they were all running around. There was another family there looking for a make as well, so my selfish ways came out and I was determined to get my pick. As soon as I bent down, the other puppies just ran past me, but this pudgy, really light pup just trotted over to me and put its little nose on my lap and just looked at me with its big brown eyes, I was inlove. And it was a male! I knew I wanted him, but I wanted to make sure my bf agreed. The other male that sniffed me, the other family picked, the other male didn't bother with me and the female kept biting my toes. So my boyfriend was over talking to the breeders and he bent down to see the pups, and again, this little pudgy puppy trotted over to him and layed on his back looking for a belly rub. We looked at each other and just knew. They told us how much the deposit was, which oddly enough was the amount of money I had in my wallet. (I never carry cash, I always use debit). 2 weeks later, Moose came home to live with us and he is perfect for this little family! I couldn't imagine not having him, or him living with another family.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Thank you one and all for sharing your stories...perhaps they are in our lives before we know it...you can't help but wonder.

And Deber thank you for your kind words, you're far to nice. *Your stories touch the heart...it's amazing how these little bundles of fur find their way into our lives.

Please keep the stories coming, even if you've told them before. *There are always new members on the board who haven't heard them yet and for those of us who have it's always nice to read them again.

Pete
 
#17 ·
Most of you know that Copper was a pity rescue that even the GR rescues turned down. The shelter called me, I told them to call the rescues and then the shelter called me a week later on his last day. "We'll be taking him into THE room if you don't take him".:(
The rescue lady even brought him and a kennel to me since he was male dog aggressive and I had adopted a 5ish year old male a few months before.

When DH asked if I was okay with adopting an older GR again, I told him I had Chance to get me through losing Copper.......
Chance died from cancer 2 years later. I had Copper another 4+ years and he sure stole my heart. I miss that boy.

When I was a kid I had a pet goat and even a little pet raccoon. My parents just let me have and/or keep anything.:doh:

My sister wanted a stray cat and boy, that pack of wienies gave that cat diarrhea! Ahem, all over my dad's bed since that was where she was hiding. Big sis made me clean up the mess before Dad got home since it was my fault. She had that cat for years and still gloats over making me wash those sheets.
 
#18 ·
I've always hesitated to tell Bentley's story, but here goes. My husband and I had debated for months about whether or not to get a puppy. We had finally decided we were too busy with work and still being newly married to make that kind of commitment. Plus we couldn't agree on a breed (me-chocolate lab, him-GSD). So one day at work a friend comes up and tells me his neighbor's had puppies and they wanted to sell them but didn't now how much they should sell them for. I did a little research on line and realized what a huge mistake they had made. The husband and wife each had a golden retriever prior to getting married. After they were married they decided they wanted a puppy from that combination. I explained the error of their ways to my friend. The next day he called me, he had explained everything to them and they wanted to try to do things right even though they had made a mistake, and what did I suggest. I printed out puppy applications from several rescue websites and we started there. I also found a great vet through a family friend and contacted him about the price of neutering and spaying everyone. I told them I would only help them on the condition that everyone (mom and dad too) got neutered or spayed. They agreed but didn't have the money. I fronted the money and the price charged for each puppy was the price of the vet visits and spay and neuter. Most of the puppies went to people we knew who could give them good homes. Family of friends, etc. Did I mention there were 10 puppies. Anyway, there was 1 puppy left and we hadn't found a worthy home yet. During all of this the husband lost his job so money was really tight. I get a call from the family and they decided they couldn't take it anymore and were taking the last puppy to the shelter that afternoon. I knew the puppy would be adopted fast but I also knew it was a high kill shelter and another dog would probably lose its life to make room for this puppy since he was too young to be legally adopted. So at 6 weeks 6 days Bentley came home with me. We literally had nothing for a puppy. My husband waited in the car with Bentley while I raided Petsmart. And that's the story of Bentley came to live with us. He's not a perfect golden thanks to his breeding but even for all his temperment issues I'm so glad he found his way to us.
 
#19 ·
Robbie was at a city animal shelter. We actually went in to look at kittens, since we were there I walked through the dog kennels, and saw him there. He had huge hot spots on both hips, bigger than my hands and was a sad dog. I found out later that the rescue would have picked him up the next day if I hadn't adopted him. He shows me every day he knows he was rescued. Lilah was turned over to the rescue by her owner, my husband and I went to pick her up and about five minutes away from the owners house he said, "can we keep her?". We had fostered several before her, but she just wrapped him around her paw right away. lol
 
#20 ·
I came out of a restaurant with a buddy of mine on a frigid evening in February of 1992. A dog greeted us, icicles hanging off her, she was a friendly dog. My buddy says jokingly "well there is your blonde Steve" ...I had a breakup a few months earlier.

My bud goes his own way and this dog is just staring at me. I could not leave her there. So she follows me to my car and hops right in. I sit there looking at her wondering who the heck are you. She had a collar but no tags. I brought her home with me.

The next morning my first call was to the police to report it. Then made calls to the surrounding pounds. Left them all the info. I never placed an ad in the paper, figured if anyone cared they would call the police or a pound. Made a trip to the market to pick up some dog food.

The thought of turning her into a pound never crossed my mind, I took full responsibility. After 30 days a lady that worked at one of the pounds asked me what I was going to do. I just blurted out she is mine now. It was meant to be. Got her to the vets, no microchip, they figured she was about 2yrs old.

6 months after I got her I took on a 6,000+ miles journey around the country for a few months, what memories.

The rest is history, best thing that ever happened to me. :) If there was anything like a heart and soul dog, she was it. Still miss her after 12yrs, always will.

I meant to post to your "whats the story behind your rescue dog" Pete, but never did. So there you go.
 
#22 ·
That's an incredible story Steve....the bond between the two of you must have been amazing. I took Sammie on a couple of cross country fly-fishing trips...they say you never enter the same river twice but the memories they hold never fade. Thanks for posting.

Pete
 
#23 ·
Our two dogs Tawny17 & Sailor 15 had gone to the bridge in 2007 & 08.We had a hard time getting over it & my wife keep saying she wasn't ready for another dog so I had quit thinking about it.I was bored at work day looking on Craigslist & something told me to click on pets(never did that before)There was an ad for a Golden puppy 10weeks old w/ a pic. I started to not say anything but I went home & showed Barb & she said ok but she still wasn't sure.I called the number & the guy said they had bought him & their job had changed so he had to stay created 12 hours a day & he knew that was wrong.He said he had ten interviews Sat & he would make a choice at the end of them.I loaded up the truck with the family & got there first thing showed him pics of my past dogs & he took me inside to see the dog .He said his name was Jack.My heart skipped a beat & a tear came to my eye Jack had been the name of my grandfathers dog!!He came right to me & wouldn't leave my side the whole time.Finally the guy said he'd call the other folks & tell them not to bother he could tell Jack was my dog.It didn't take long for Barb to come around!!That was two years ago this month I think maybe even this weekend
 
#24 ·
I didn't think I really had a story but thinking about it now, I do.

Back in February, 2009 when we had both Reno and Phoenix, I happened to be looking on Kijiji and saw a litter of Goldens being advertised. I tried to convince DH that we needed a third dog but to no avail. I kept my eye on this ad for a few weeks and then decided it wasn't good timing for a third so convinced myself to forget about it.

On March 25, 2009 we lost Phoenix at the age of 8 years old. We knew Reno was going to be devastated as he and Phoenix were the best of friends and never spent a day apart in 8 years. We knew after 2 days that we needed to find Reno a buddy.

I did end up calling a couple of breeders but neither had any puppies available. I thought again about that ad I had seen on Kijiji and thought to myself "there won't be any puppies left as that was a month earlier". I happened to find the ad again and e-mailed them. They responded by saying they had one male puppy left and sent me a picture of him. I fell in love with his face immediately and told DH we had to have him. Three 3 days later we went to pick him up.....and that adorable puppy is now my wonderful boy Austin!!!! I think now that I was meant to have him in my life and in Reno's. He and Reno are so close....
 
#25 · (Edited)
Ella has always lived with another dog (roommates, fosters, and my Hunter) since she was about 2 years old. She adores having a canine companion so we needed to be a 2 dog household, and we were both devastated after losing Hunter. We fostered multiple dogs for our local GR rescue, and while they were absolutely wonderful, none of them were "the one". (Incidentally, each has gone on to be the perfect fit in their new households- definitely meant to be!) I knew that I wanted another young (1-5 year old) male, and I was looking for a certain temperament and personality that I knew would mesh well with us.

Then, a litter of puppies was surrendered to AGA. They knew our story, and steered me in the direction of one of the puppies in particular. They gave me some time to think about it, and I took Ella to Atlanta to meet him. Wow! From the first second I came in the door, he was in my lap, kissing my face, and regaling me with his puppy antics. Of course I was smitten, but the true test was how Ella would feel. Well, they were best friends from the start! He followed her around the foster's yard carrying her leash in his mouth and they played and traded kisses, it was obvious to all of us that they were a perfect pair. And so we brought home Jackson, and he has been the perfect addition to our family!!! Ella and Jackson are smitten with each other, and he is turning out to be exactly the dog I was hoping for!!!

 
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