Anything worth having, is worth waiting for…

It’s no surprise to anyone that I’ve been (in)patiently waiting for the day to come that we get to take home our little nugget, show him a life of love and blessings, and start our family! Something that people often do on a whim, is something that took Gary and I what seems like forever.

Living in a dog-friendly Hermosa Beach is great (if you like dogs). But, unless your a homeowner, or have a dog under 20 lbs. getting an apartment is nearly impossible. Then you say the word “Pit Bull” and it’s even harder. Let me just say there were many tears of sadness, and many frustrating discussions with landlords about the Pit Bull Breed. I believe so deeply in Pit Bulls that  I couldn’t help but take the stereotypes personally.

It took Gary and I 6 months of using every rental website and rental service around, many days viewing apartments, many applications, and many, many prayers to finally sign a lease with a pet-friendly unit (without a bully ban).

With the apartment checked off the list, there was about a month of looking on every website possible looking for our future little dog. Honestly, I was dreading the process of selecting our dog… The one dog that we can save out of so many.

But, I knew when the time was right, things would work out as they should. And they did.

After we moved, Gary and I chose the soonest day we could make it to a shelter, Tuesday. Then, with a referral from Mao and a late-night chat with Jennifer Rosen, I was put in contact with a couple who had Pit Bull/Shepard puppies who needed a home. Jenn sent me a few photos, and they were adorable (of course)! There was a little red one with a white spot on his forehead that caught my attention. Then, before you know it, I was talking to them on the phone, asking if I could come out that day to see the dogs.

I didn’t want to get my hopes up that we’d actually be taking home a dog that day, so I didn’t tell anyone what we were up to. But what a pleasant, surreal surprise Tuesday afternoon became!

We got to meet the amazing couple that has loved and nurtured the dogs, the mamma and daddy dog, and all the sweet, friendly puppies! The puppies were so cute, loving, and playful. We played around with them in the back yard for a while, closely observing each one and their different personalities.

After a while, Gary and I looked at each other, both admiring the little red one from the photo we saw, Biggie Smalls. He was playing in the dirt, rolling around, and being a little lazier then the rest of the bunch. Something about him was special, and we both knew it. I knew then he was the little nugget we’d be taking home, and I couldn’t even believe it was happening.

I had wanted a puppy for so long, that once it began to happen it didn’t quite seem real. He was ready to go home with us that day, and after an emotional and sweet send-off from the couple, we got in our car and headed home with our little nugget, Stig (Gary had chosen the name long ago, and was so excited to rename him the second we got into the car).

After a “shopping blackout” at PetCo and a bathie, Stig was settling in quite well to our little beach apartment. Welcome home Stig, we love you!

And, although the past few days have been heaven, just loving him and welcoming him into our home, we know raising a puppy is not easy- luckily, we’re more-than up for the challenge!

Thanks to Jennifer, Mao, and especially Christina and Juan Carlos or the best gift we could ever imagine…