If My Friends Could See Me Now.

     Sometimes, when you least expect it, something comes along and changes everything.
     When we left our house that morning to take our reluctant teen clothes shopping, how could I have known that our lives would be forever changed?
    Pulling into the parking space at Tilly's, we saw a pet adoption event next door at Petco.
The agency Dog Rescue Without Borders was there with a baby corral full of adoptable dogs.
Knowing better, we stopped to look. 
      Our family was waiting for just the right time to adopt our next rescue dog. We felt Cody, almost 6, was secure and mature enough to raise a younger sibling properly. We knew exactly what we wanted (thank you Pinterest), a yellow lab puppy. We had been poking around, researching other adoption agencies in the months prior.
     As luck would have it, there he was; a gorgeous male yellow lab puppy. I picked him up and held him as my husband, son and I discussed the possibility of bringing this handsome young fellow home. Thankfully, we all agreed it was time.
Excitedly I told the lady "we'll take him!"
     Sadly, it was not to be -- another family had just finalized his adoption process-- game over.
Drama ensued and tears fell as my husband pulled us away and into the store. I felt I had bonded, which he felt was ridiculous, but in a way I had -- just not with the male puppy.
     When we finished shopping, I stopped to talk to the Dog Rescue Without Borders ladies and asked if there were others? We felt their yellow lab puppy was exactly what we were looking for. She thought about it and said, "if you are serious, there is a sister, but she is set to transfer to another agency tomorrow."
     My husband and son both rolled their eyes at the mention of a GIRL dog. Not me -- quite the opposite, I am surrounded by boys in our family. Even our bearded dragon Cupcake turned out to be a boy!
    She said she would talk to her partner and do some checking -- but no promises. We asked her to text  a picture of the little girl. Then we waited. And waited. And waited. Time was standing still --  I swear it! Finally it came, the picture of the male lab puppy's sister.


Foster home picture

     There she was -- kind of pitiful really, with her scared little apple-shaped, stress face. We filled out an application for adoption and several phone calls took place discussing the girl dog's future. She wasn't ready to adopt, and hadn't been spayed, but in the end they allowed us to adopt her with the promise we would take her to be fixed when she was of age. She said we could pick up the little girl puppy the next day! Countdown to crazy.
     We had only hours to prepare for the new baby Sissy. We rushed around buying toys, a bed and puppy food. We did our best to prepare our other dog for a new baby sister.

     Arriving early, I was a hot mess; tears streaming down my face clutching her brand new empty collar and leash, stressed out and excited all at the same time, to meet our new addition. We placed her new dog bed and a stuffed purple Cleo doll on the back seat to comfort her for the journey to her new home.


First time we met

     At first glimpse she looked so timid and tiny; her tail tucked all the way between her legs and she shook like a freezing cold Chihuahua. She was a lot smaller than the brother and I immediately worried  our Cody might crush her. Before I veered off with fear, I picked her up and was met with an extremely sloppy first kiss.
     She came with paperwork, medical records (all in Spanish) and a no questions asked return policy. (As if!) Elsa was available every step of the way and very thorough with her instructions. DRWB spays and neuters all of their dogs prior to adoption and in our rare circumstance with Shelby, we signed a contract agreeing to take that important step in responsible adoption.

 I named her Shelby "Sissy" Rudge and she was decidedly all mine. (just ask me).

I fell head-over-heels in love with her despite her pooping on my brand new apple green rug within minutes of entering the house. I carried her around like an infant, shielding her 14 pound frame from imminent smooshing from her beloved 110 pound lab brother.

Cody & Shelby

Sassy Shelby

Her first days were filled with an initial vet visit and trip to A Country Clip, our local dog groomer / spa for a much-needed mani-pedi.
     Shelby was the runt of the litter, (not that there is anything wrong with that) and was late growing in her teeth. Once she settled in and realized she was safe and had plenty to eat, she began to relax and grew bigger each day. She potty-trained quickly, can sit, lay down, jump, retrieve a ball or Frisbee, catch treats in mid-air, manipulate and prance on command. She now has a full set of pearly whites and seems to enjoy having her teeth brushed with her Hello Kitty toothbrush.
Shelby's a girly-girl and is often seen sporting a rainbow of pastel t-shirts and bandanas.


     I am still in the romantic phase of puppy parenting where I find myself using "my puppy" in every other sentence and can plausibly cut social events short because of "the puppy".
My affection for Shelby frightens me at times, and I wonder how I ever existed without loving her.




     Shelby and Cody have become fast friends and he does his best to supervise her crazy antics.

Saloon Girl Shelby-Halloween

Shelby's hobbies include landscape architecture (she is currently removing the underground sprinkler system) horticulture (she has dug up every single house plant that displeases her) and she loves cheering for the Denver Broncos. She is recovering from a notable shoe fetish that promptly stopped when we were forced to install locks on the bedroom doors. Shelby can reach up to unlatch and open every door in our home, at will. Beautiful and smart!

     I have learned so much about puppies with my Shelby girl and have discovered that protecting them from potential trouble or hazards is my responsibility as a pet owner. Shelby isn't a BAD DOG when she gets into mischief, she is a puppy, and puppies, like babies need shielding from potential disasters.

Shelby 7 months

     We give Princessa Shelby a LOT of grace and remember her background before responding to her behavior. Shelby's mother was discovered by Dog Rescue Without Borders, pregnant and homeless on the unforgiving streets of Tijuana, Mexico. She was picked up and brought to the United States for medical care and gave birth to 4 puppies in a safe and loving foster home.
     Our now 7 month old yellow lab Shelby has grown to an impressive 40 pounds in 4 short months. What a difference an abundance of love can make. She recently had her lady-parts surgery and has recovered like a champ. Shelby has the most beautiful, enviable caramel-colored eyelashes and a soft pink nose. She's always loyal, protective, pushy and obnoxiously adorable. The stress face she used to perpetually wear has faded and she's so incredibly happy now that when she thumps her tail it can be heard throughout the house. She's extremely curious and has earned the nickname "Nosey Rosey".
     Her appreciation, love and adoration overshadow her flaws and she's quick to give a flurry of kisses for no apparent reason.

Broncos cheerleader

     We've continued to stay in contact with Dog Rescue Without Borders and are extremely impressed with their agency. They are definitely not doing this to get rich! Each rescued dog is fostered until a viable home can be found. Many of their rescues come from Mexico and medical care for them can be expensive. Some have been hit by cars, abused, lost and all seem to be hungry for food, love, affection and most of all a safe, soft place to lay their precious heads at night. I love to share the stories of their rescues in hopes other families will choose rescue adoption through DRWB before purchasing a dog.

She's safe now