Helping Brandon #18-018 Find "Life"

~More veggies from our garden~

Today Carl returns from being out of town, and I end 10 days as a single-dog-parent. I'm exhausted.  The loss of Momma, and two sick pups, Eva and Bailey took its toll because of a few nights of little sleep and having to work, and care for the other dogs.  Thankfully both girls are feeling better, and for that I'm thankful and grateful.

~Bailey, not feeling well~

We also end the week minus another member of our household. You may, or may not remember that back in June, we welcomed a 14+ year old boy named Brandon.

~Brandon, the day we met~

Brandon settled in very nicely and got along with all the dogs. But somewhere along the way,  that began to change. I can only think that being part of a multi-dog household got to be too much for Brandon. He began growling and sometimes fighting with the other dogs. Most of the time, for whatever reason, Bailey, was the one he targeted.  And Todd, who is always ready for a fight, got involved a few times which took the fight to a whole other level. Thankfully no one was injured, but we began "managing" where Brandon was, and which dogs he was with. It wasn't always easy, but we worked it out.

The foster-home-coordinator for the rescue really tried to find a new foster home for Brandon. But she wasn't able to find anyone, and I think now it was because the cosmos had other plans. Brandon had been on the rescues website as "available for adoption." and a few weeks ago, there was an inquiry about Brandon. But the family had to go through the approval process and so we decided to hang-on and see where it would take us. They were previous adopters from the rescue, and with all their information updated, a new home visit completed they were approved to adopt again, and so we met last Saturday.

Meeting "P" and her husband was just like meeting friends. They were warm and welcoming. "P" is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, and she felt she needed something to take care of and something that would also take her mind off herself.  "P" had seen Brandon on the rescues website when he was with his previous foster home and available for adoption , and she'd noticed when he was no longer listed.  So, when "P" saw him listed again, she knew they had to apply to adopt him. "P's" feelings about Brandon, even before she met him, were so strong, that she even ordered him a new leash and collar.

By himself, Brandon is gentle, sweet, endearing, affectionate, and even silly. He was all "P" and her husband hoped he would be, and our meeting could not have gone any better. Taking on a senior dog, especially one that is 14 years old is something to consider, so I asked them to think about it and we would catch up in a few days. I received a call from "P" a couple of hours later. They were totally smitten by Brandon and of course I thought they could not be more perfect for him!

So, on Thursday, Brandon was adopted. "P" and her husband could not be happier or  more excited to dote on and spoil Brandon and to have him as part of their lives! "P" and her husband are Jewish. I mention this only because when we were filling out Brandon's adoption contract, I remarked to "P" about his ID number for the rescue being 18-018 (referencing the year and that Brandon was the 18th dog that came into the rescue this year)  "P" had noticed that as well, and told me that the Hebrew word for "life"has a numerical value of 18. So, Brandon's ID numbers mean "life." Very appropriate I think.

Brandon's story and his journey that began this spring to find a new home speaks to my heart and soul. I know Brandon is where he is supposed to be for this chapter in his life. I'm grateful to be part of his story, and helping, Brandon, #18-018 find "life," happiness and a perfect forever home and family.

~Brandon settling into his forever home~