Just When You Thought ...
There’s always that minute where you can’t go any deeper, the waves are crashing over more frequently, and you just can fathom “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” and moving on. Moving on just seems impossible. We were only a few weeks past the point of losing our sweet Wonder Dog, and it was easier to wallow in self-pity than get ah-move on.
Along comes our sweet soul and memaw, Sherry posting puppies, lots of PUPPIES! Black labrador puppies that were available from a litter she helped get started in that it was her female bred with a partner-breeder. They were so frickin’ cute! Big ‘ol square mugs, big feet, classic Hayshaker Labrador qualities that made me fall in love with her dogs.
Gahhhhh! I made the mistake of replying to her post, “OMG, I would love one … but not now”. Very quickly I had a message from her to call her. “OMG”, I thought. I wouldn’t be able to say no. It’s a sickness! Labradors are my vice, my elixer, my crack! “I wanted to reach out to you because you responded about the puppies …” it started. My heart skipped a beat thinking that I would say “yes” but the Grumps would be a very strong “NO”. “What’s up?” I responded.
“So I have Clarice, she’s one of my favorite females. I’ve removed her from the breeding schedule and she’s just my dog here at the Ponderosa”, Sherry’s farm. “I would like you and Grumps to have her. I hate that you’re without Hazel. She’s very loveable, very calm, and I think that she would be perfect for both of you.” I was taken back. Was I ready? Would I have to bribe Grumps into saying yes?
Lo and behold, long story short, Memaw, in classic Memaw fashion, was offering us Clarice to take Hazel’s place, to the best of her ability. She is young and sweet, very much in tune to emotion, and a really good girl. Clarice had one litter but with some concerns that a good breeder would not want to pass on through another litter, Sherry removed her from the breeding program. “She’s healthy, spayed, and the biggest love you’ll ever get …”, said Memaw. I was sold!
After much begging, pleading, and even a few tears, I got Grumps to agree to test her out for a bit. As always, if it didn’t work out, Clarice would go back to Sherry’s place. I picked up Clarice at a friend of Sherry’s place in Wisconsin. She was quiet, a bit scared, but very sweet. Complete with a Memaw pillow, toy, and a bag of dog food, we headed back home. Within a few days, she was comfortable, open-minded to simple commands, and the biggest love ever!
The first meeting
Henry, the little Prince, was hesitant at first but has warmed up. “She’s not Hazel, nana … No, bud, she’s not but we’ll give her a try, okay?” Henry’s solution? “I think she’s more like reeses pieces or reeses peanut butter cups, so we need to call her Reese.” Out of the mouth of babes, right? Reese, she is.
She is beautiful, for sure, and has the prettiest feet! Bred for many beautiful Hayshaker labrador qualities including her feet, Clarice (Hayshaker Blinded By The Light) is a few points shy of her grand championship status. For us? She’s just a bougie girl! She just completed her first training toward potentially getting her service dog status. Baby steps, for sure.
So, welcome to this crazy family, little girl We’ll promise to give you a tremendous amount of love forever. But some rules apply - stay out of my bed!
