Her name was Olivia. And she was the most beautiful spaniel mix I’d ever seen. Granted, I only saw her on a computer screen and didn’t actually meet her in person. But mom did and she tells me she was pretty swell. At the tender age of two months old, she was a black and brown bundle of puppyhood joy. And she almost became part of my forever family today.
My dear aunt Morgan has been searching for her first fur baby of her own for more than a year. She has been through a lot on her search, from moments of heartbreak to moments of hope. She has fallen in love with dachshunds and terriers and bearded collies of all ages and sizes. She has considered buying a purebred of some kind, but would really prefer to rescue.
And today she thought for sure she had finally found her match. Olivia looked into her eyes and she just knew. That is, until she didn’t. Mom was there with her to help make this big decision and she tells me they were fetching the adoption paperwork when my dear aunt Morgan did a completely selfless thing. She changed her mind.
Ultimately she couldn’t live with knowing her challenging work schedule that (every now and then) keeps her away from home for 12 hours at a time would simply be too long to leave poor little Olivia alone. I know it was tough for her to leave Olivia’s big brown eyes behind. But that’s not where the story ends for her. She was indeed adopted today by a family who was waiting anxiously for Morgan to make a decision. And I bet she will be happy there.
Because rescue, from the ground up, is the real deal. I am a living breathing example of a rescue success story, and even mine wasn’t perfect. That’s the thing about situations like this. Life in itself is a big deal. It brings us twists and turns and ups and downs. It challenges us. It keeps us on our paws. And when it comes to making big decisions, it frankly sucks sometimes.
Her name was Olivia and she was a game changer. She didn’t join our forever family today but she taught us all a lesson in selflessness and patience. I’ll be the first to admit patience is not something I’m great at. That’s why I know Morgan will find her perfect match soon. Because today she made another tough decision. Today she confirmed she will not settle. And I’m proud of her.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Three cheers for Aunt Morgan! What a wonderful lady. I sure hope she finds her fur baby soon and that they will have a long and happy life together.
You and me both, dear Lyn! High paw to you!
I think Olivia will have a long happy life with her new family. Meanwhile, Morgan has you to spoil and snuggle. There’s always enough Wiley to go around!
Love and licks,
Cupcake
You’re right about that, dear Cupcake! I love any extra spoilage and snuggles I can get my paws on! 🙂
Lots of love,
Wiles
I am glad Olivia got a new family though. As for Aunt Morgan, let’s hope she does also eventually find the right match!
Here here! 🙂
before making such a commitment you have to think carefully. I would love to get a dog, but working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week makes it really tricky! So i am going to get gerbils and help out at a shelter for a while and learn to be content with Mity and BD on a part time basis!
You’re so responsible! All my best to Mity and BD. 🙂
When the time is right she will know! So pleased to hear Olivia has found her forever family, even if it isn’t with you!
You’re right – I forget this. Love at first sight works that way after all. 😉
Dear Wyles, so glad the story had a good ending both for Olivia and for Morgan and for all of you as well. Ummm, there are work arounds re those 12 hour days – that was my work schedule and to my astonishment, I found a wonderful dog service that would come every day and walk Claire and play with both Claire and Dyssa, and write me notes on how the day went. They also took care of them when I was away on vacation or, if I had an invitation at the last minute for dinner, I would call and they would come… The girls always thrived and I knew they were safer and happier in their home rather than boarding ’em. I budgeted somewhere else, so I could do that. Those dog nannies became family as well. 🙂
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
It is because she waited that she found dear Joey.