And Then There Were None

Brody HATES the camera flash

Often in animal rescue, the happiest days of your life are also the saddest days of your life. Welcome to today for me. 

I'll never forget this day: October 26, 2011. Today is the day that my Brody went home forever. Today is the day that the final piece of a very special puzzle fell into place. Let me explain...

Eight months ago, I rescued a litter of 8 Pit Bull/Boxer puppies from euthanasia. Despite the fact that I didn't have room for 8 new dogs, these puppies deserved a chance. And so, 8 little babies came to live with me. 

Several of the puppies were sick. The rest made huge messes. But every single one of them stole my heart. I'm telling you... this was the cutest litter of puppies that ever lived.

Soon, 3 of the puppies went to amazing homes in Minnesota: Brutus, Duke, and Bam Bam. A couple months later, Darcy and Lexi were adopted in the Northeast. And soon thereafter, Ellie was adopted here in Mississippi.

And then... there were two: Teddy and Brody. 

Teddy and Brody were not only brothers, but best friends. They did everything together, and their relationship was truly special. And I felt special to be a part of it. I felt even more special... because I was their mom. 

I'd basically raised these two since birth, and they'd never known life without me. But as much as I didn't want to know life without them, I knew the time would come... when I'd have to let them go. And then, in August, the time finally came to say goodbye to Teddy, when he was adopted by an amazing family up north. 

Seriously, Mom? Another picture??

And then... there was one... Brody.

When Teddy was adopted, Brody lost his brother and his best friend. Teddy was Brody's hero, and I won't lie... it was heartbreaking to watch Brody searching around Lucky Dog for Teddy. 

I promised Brody that his day would come soon... that he'd have a special family just like his 7 brothers and sisters. But after months of waiting --and for Brody, a lifetime of waiting-- I sometimes wondered whether Brody would ever go home.

With each month that passes, puppies become less and less adoptable. Adopters tend to want either a baby puppy... or a grown adult. The in-between stage is rarely desired. So, if they don't go quickly as a pup, then there's often a waiting game until they're full-grown. 

Such was the case with Brody... until today... 


Following an approved adoption application and home check, a wonderful family here in Meridian adopted my Brody today. He'll have 2 human sisters, and a new mom and dad. 

The family's excitement brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. And the smile on Brody's face honestly meant everything to me. Because for the very first time in his life... he finally knows what it's like... to be home. 

That was one of the happiest, most heartbreaking moments of my life. The joy was for Brody. The heartbreak was for me, because the time had finally come... to say goodbye to the last baby from my special litter of eight. I just couldn't believe they were really all gone.

Ever since he was just a baby, I've been Brody's mom. But now, my job is done. My baby is all grown up. And it was time to let him go...

So... I bent down, and gave my Brody the last hug, and the last kiss, I'd ever give him as his mom. He has a new mom now. A new family. A new home.

In his ear, I whispered: "You can't understand it right now, but this is why I saved you." And then, I repeated the special quote I've recited to him every day since he was just a sick little puppy: "I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." Then... I quietly sobbed as I walked away.

Before I shut the door to Brody's new house, I looked back at my baby one last time. Through my tears, I smiled and said, "Welcome home, baby boy."  

With that, I closed the door to one of the most incredible chapters of my life...

And then... there were none.

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