Then Here Came Kennedy

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Good morning, Readers!  It's been a busy few days here at Seidler house.  Come on and sit a spell.  Can you believe, a year ago, the garage in the back yard was being turned into my woman cave?  I was looking at some photos from last year and could hardly believe the transformation from then to now.  I also had a huge yard covered with dirt ~~ a blank slate.  Step by step, I have "nested."

As I mentioned in my blog on adoption, we have been in the midst of welcoming a new addition to the family ... a rescue dog.  

Laura & Kennedy

Last Thursday, the foster mom who had our prospective new dog came to do a house visit and brought Kennedy to see how we meshed.  I was expecting a six pound Pom/Chi ... what jumped out of the car was a 12.8 pound bundle of reddish blond fur.  My heart sank.  I was hoping for a tiny dog that I would fit under the seat in an airplane ( in reality, a dog like my old Pom, Khelsea).  I felt rather upset but figured I would be hospitable and welcomed Laura and Kennedy in before I sent them on their way back to Keller.

Kennedy jumped up beside me on the sofa and looked at me as if to say, "Who are you?"  I patted him on the head and started talking to him.  Laura remarked how much Kennedy liked me which had not been the case in former meetings with prospective owners.  He was finicky about who he got attached to.  I had to admit, I liked Kennedy ... Laura told me he was a Republican dog with a Democrat name.  I got a kick out of that.

There was nothing to dislike about Kennedy.  He was housebroken, well mannered, and cute as can be.  Still, I wavered between yes and no ... mostly no.  If I were to be totally honest, I wanted to send Kennedy back and thought of every excuse to do so.  God had led me to adopting a rescue.  I agreed but had my own ideas.

Last Friday was my worst day ... I broke down and sobbed not knowing what in the world was wrong.  Then, it dawned on me.  Last year, I lost my Pomeranian Khelsea.  She was a 5 pound ball of red sable fur ... a cantankerous old broad that ruled the roost.  We had been through so much together and I indulged her craziness.  Soon after her passing, we moved and I never really took time to grieve.  I have a way of stuffing uncomfortable feelings and pretending they don't exist.  Unintentionally, I was looking for a clone of Khelsea but what I got was a dog unique in himself.  My heart broke, Kennedy wasn't like Khelsea.

The pain had been inside me but I guess I thought if I kept busy enough the pain would go away.  That thought worked for quite some time ... at least until I met Kennedy.  The fact was no matter how busy I was, my heart was still broken.  Staying busy had helped ease my pain but now?  Could I accept Kennedy?

Kennedy helped me open the door to my fractured heart and let the puss out.  I sat down and talked to him.  He licked my salty tears and in his own way of communicating, let me know that I was going to be okay.  I knew I had to make a decision and I asked him, "Kennedy do you want to be my "fur"ever dog?"  He glanced up at me with his big brown eyes and started talking in these little chattering noises, plopping himself down in my lap."  I guess that was a "yes".  I could say (finally), "Okay, let's get on with the business of signing papers."  I was at peace.

If Kennedy's weight had been correctly noted on Petfinder, I would have passed him by.  He was NOT what I wanted; but, he was what I needed.  Kennedy, he adopted me.  Actually, there's nothing not to like about Kennedy.  He is all gentleman ~~ a perfect Pom/Chi (somehow I think there's a few other dog genes in his background as well).  Am I at peace?  No, not completely.  I still have some grieving to do for Khelsea.  I just have to remember to not compare Kennedy to her.

There are so many instances where we try to replace what we lost.  As a matchmaker, I had several widowers and widows who came in trying to find another mate just like the one they lost.  They had quick weddings and just as quickly were divorced when their new mate wanted to be loved for themselves.  Before I could say "yes" to Kennedy, I needed to say goodbye to my expectations.  So far, so good  Honesty is by far the best policy! 

Miss Dottie

PS  Adopting Kennedy has dealt me another lesson in life.  I need to be grateful for what gifts the Lord gives me and not keep looking in the rear view mirror.  Kennedy's arrival needs to be celebrated as a win/win all around!!


It is my hope and prayer that my blogs would give strength and hope to those traveling with me on the road of life.  After living in a world of secrets for so many years, my world and my heart have come to reside in transparency.

"And you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free."~~John 8:32

I looked at my audience today and found that my words are traveling throughout the world.  Praise God!!  Always remember that you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!