As I knelt down to hug this white pup with giant ears, and a brown patch on her face, she nuzzled her face in my chest, and I wept. I wept for the loss of my first rescue, Ella. Ella was my first pet as an adult and I took her everywhere with me; it was a very difficult loss. I was surrounded by loving dog people, but in that moment, it was as if this white pup completely understood what I was going through. She licked the tears off my face and placed her chin on my shoulder.
Two volunteers came back from unloading my car of Ella’s blankets and food so that current rescues could use these items. They stood and commented they hadn’t seen the dog, Darla, respond to someone that way before. At that moment, although I wasn’t ready for another pup, I knew I was going to help her while she was in rescue.
During my time with Georgetown Animal Outreach I learned that the more volunteers were at adoption events, the more dogs they can get out to show in hopes of finding homes so I started helping every Saturday to hold Darla. Through my Saturdays with this group, I learned what an amazing group of animal advocates GAO is and how they worked so hard to get to know each individual dog to help with good matches for adoption placement. They became a personal source of community for me and I looked forward to volunteering with them every week. They demonstrated the value of spending time with rescue dogs to socialize them and help them learn commands, as well as what it meant to simply show up and love on these dogs. It wasn’t long before I found myself missing Darla during the week so I committed to taking shifts walking a small group of rescue dogs during the week.
The first day I went to get Darla out of her kennel for a walk, she pulled me so hard that soon we were both running. We flew out the door and around the building over where cars were parked. She ran straight to my car and tried to jump through the open back window! I was so upset I couldn’t take her in that moment. I was getting married and moving out of state soon and told her as soon as we had a home I was coming for her. The day finally came when both dreams came true and she would ride in my car to her forever home.
Although Carla and Darla had a nice ring to it she was renamed Izzy. Izzy learned the comforts of an indoor home, and when given her first blanket, she carried it with her everywhere for two days. Blankets are still her favorite thing. Well, next to peanut butter.
Izzy was my little bit of my Texas past that I clung to during a time of transitions. Newly married, new job, new city to live in, all great things but numerous life changes at once. We all adjusted to our new home and life together. Izzy loved snuggling on the couch and playing games with my husband, Ryan, and we all love taking long walks together.
Izzy was my little bit of my Texas past that I clung to during a time of transitions. Newly married, new job, new city to live in, all great things but numerous life changes at once. We all adjusted to our new home and life together. Izzy loved snuggling on the couch and playing games with my husband, Ryan, and we all love taking long walks together.
Izzy went from Darla the shelter dog to a dog with a pampered life and full time job. She is our official “shoe dog” at our local family run shoe store. She wouldn’t dare miss a day of work, and as we start packing up in the morning, she paces and follows us to be sure she is not left behind. Her official job title is “Sock Inspector” and she is the best greeter around- at least until it’s time for her afternoon nap. Izzy knows when we have a busy store that if she goes to the sock bin, grabs a pair in her mouth, and parades around the room that she will get a ridiculous amount of attention. And more importantly, Izzy has been such a wonderful breed ambassador and helped to shatter myths and stereotypes about her breed. She is so gentle and patient that even those who are timid of her breed, or “had never heard of a nice one” end up wanting to pet her. We have been able to have many powerful conversations about how sometimes a snap judgment is not correct, whether with a person or a dog. Izzy encourages others to give her, all dogs, and even all humans a chance.
Izzy brings joy and love to those around her. Ryan and I are so thankful for all that GAO does for dogs and the Georgetown community so that we even had this opportunity to adopt sweet Izzy.
Izzy brings joy and love to those around her. Ryan and I are so thankful for all that GAO does for dogs and the Georgetown community so that we even had this opportunity to adopt sweet Izzy.
