How My Rescue Dog Saved Me During My Darkest Time

One of the best things that I have ever done in my life is rescuing my Lucy. She turns 10-years-old today, and I'm not sure who rescued who the most. This is our story.

Truth? I have a favorite child. I will always deny this fact, but it has been obvious over the last ten years. Although, I have always treated my pups equally, there's just something about my sweet Lucy. We'll have to go back to March of 2011. I wanted to give Sadie a pup to play with. Sadie was around 5-years-old, so the timing was right. At least in my mind. Sadie was MORE than enough for my husband, which posed a problem with my plan. I remember telling Chris about seeing LuAnn (her name at the time) on PetFinder.com at a rescue in Harrisburg, IL. I fell in love with her instantly. I think it was her sweet eyes. I was surprised when Chris didn't completely shut the door. He asked me to think about it, and weigh the pros and cons of getting a second pup. That was his biggest mistake, which turned into our biggest blessing!

I took the day off work, and with much anticipation drove the two hours to get my LuAnn. She was so timid and so scared during the drive. I reassured her all the way back to Owensboro, but it didn't help. She didn't want to leave the bed that I bought her. I laugh now remembering how Chris joked that I brought home a "defective puppy". It took her days to come around, and to feel safe and comfortable. But, when she did, it was quite obvious that she was home. She has been a great little and big sister, a sweet companion, my perfect daughter and a lover of all things, with the exception of bunnies and squirrels!

I remember we had Lucy for almost a year on February 29th, 2012. That day a devastating tornado hit Harrisburg, Lucy's birthplace. There was major destruction and multiple deaths. I held my Lucy close as I saw the news of the aftermath. I prayed that her brothers and sisters were okay, and held her tight that night. I was happy that we rescued her, that she was safe with us, and not in the destruction.

It's safe to say that 2013 thru 2015 was the worst time of my entire life to date. While Lucy was tucked safely in her crate in March of 2013, burglars broke into our home. I'm sure Sadie greeted them with a game of fetch, but Lucy was very upset. When I got home from work, Lucy was the first to let me know that something bad had happened that day. It's a long story with many ups and downs, but Lucy stayed by my side as I processed it all. Just a couple of weeks later, my amazing hero of a Dad was diagnosed with cancer. For the two months before he succumbed to the disease, I cried almost daily and made many trips to Michigan. Lucy knew that I was in pain, and NEVER left my side. I swear when I looked into her eyes, she was crying with me.

That was the start of a sad and tough two years. We lost my Mom and Dad, and my husband's parents during this time. My car was totaled in an accident. I spent many days very sick in 2015, ultimately landing in the hospital until they found out the diagnosis. Besides my unwavering faith, family and friends, Lucy was my #1 champion. Those sweet eyes that I fell in love with, were my guide through all of the loss and tragedy. Her sweet disposition and unwavering love was exactly what I needed during those moments. I'd like to think that I was what she needed too, after leaving her birth home in Harrisburg all those years ago. I think we needed and will ALWAYS need each other.

I loved Sadie with all of my heart, and I love my CoCo Channel just as much. But, there's just something about my special girl. I could never have children, so how blessed am I to have that perfect pup person in my life? Blessed indeed. Consider a rescue not only to give a new life, but to enrich yours too! Everyone should save, and have a Lucy in their life. She's simply the BEST.