One of My Greatest Saves

This post is very personal. It isn't really my grief to own, but I call it mine anyway. I am selfish that way sometimes. This story began back when I was an independent rescuer, and MABCR didn't exist as it does today.

Sometime in the late '90s (can't remember exactly when, too long ago, too many cobwebs and lives have passed me) I received a phone call from a woman who asked me to help her save a dog. Her sister had this dog you see...and the dog was not being treated well. Oh, she was cared for, but she wasn't loved, and the woman knew the dog deserved to be loved. She knew the dog could be great. But she needed a new home, and a new name. Her name was Brat. No dog should be called Brat.

The woman flew the dog from Idaho to her home in Virginia. She had her spayed and fully vetted, then drove her to me. And Brat became Brit.

Brit was a tough nut. She was full of fire, a real little pistol. And FAST!!! I called her my Pocket Rocket. Oh my how I loved that little dog. She was tiny, she weighed maybe 25 pounds. I knew that in the right hands she would make an amazing agility dog, and that was before I really knew anything about agility.

Brit drove a rocky road here on Victory Farm. She fought constantly with another bitch I had here at the time, and among other major infractions, she killed a new lamb. I had her about 9 months and was beginning to wonder if I would be able to place her when Maryellen Miller mentioned to me that she would really like to have that little dog.

My heart soared, the adoption was made and history written.

I don't know what would have happened to Brit had she not come here. I don't know all of the awards, titles, and ribbons Brit and Maryellen won. I don't know all of the venues Brit and Maryellen have competed in.

I do know that Brit had a great life with her humans. I do know she had a rockin' good partner to play agility with. I do know that Brit is one of the reasons I still do rescue today. I do know that Brit is one of the reasons Maryellen and Al work so hard along side the rest of the MABCR volunteers and will forever be a part of my own extended family. I do know my heart fills with tears when I know that I will never scrub that tail nub again. And I do know the Miller's house is one empty house tonight.

When you see Maryellen and Al, please don't tell them how sorry you are. Tell them just how happy you are that they gave Brit the life she was meant to have. Tell them how wonderful it is that they uncovered the great dog she had hidden inside. And be sure to tell them that rockin' little dog had the best life ever thanks to them.

And if you are wondering...no, there never will be another Brit. She was one of a kind...

Brit, may you rest easy in your mama's heart. I am ever so proud to have known you.