Last fall, we were so fortunate as to expand our family by one, thanks to Great Dog Rescue of New England (GDRNE). We had been cat owners for years, but when our last cat wandered off, as old cats are wont to do, it was not long before we started toying with the idea of getting a dog. The Art of Raising a Puppy by the Monks of New Skete came off the shelf, and the realization that dogs are a lot more work than cats made me wary.
About a month later and completely unsuspecting, we arrived at the Farmers’ Market the day that GDRNE was there. After saying to my daughter no fewer than three times, “we’re not getting a dog,” she convinced me to “just look at the puppies!” That was it. Sweet puppy eyes, a few conversations with GDRNE volunteers and a phone call to hubby later, and we had filled out the application to adopt Petey.
Several people warned me that adopting a dog on the spur of the moment is not a good idea; however, it was not so spontaneous. We had a few days after the Farmers’ Market to clean up our shoes, buy a crate and re-read our puppy book before Petey arrived. And he has been a joy, a laugh-riot, occasionally a pain and always a love, and we are so grateful to both the Farmers’ Market and GDRNE for bringing him to our family.
I would encourage anyone who has been thinking about getting a dog to look around the house and start picturing life with a new and furry addition. Then be sure to go to the Farmers’ Market on Sept. 12 when GDRNE will be there again, knowing that it is a wonderful organization, and that rescuing a dog is more than a good deed, it is a path to unconditional puppy love.
Ames Hardymon
Old Boston Turnpike
