It doesn't happen very often but, if you're lucky enough, it will happen to you and your life will be changed forever.
For us that "It" was deciding to adopt a dog back in 2003.
You see dogs have always held a special place in our hearts. But, up until that point, we were just not ready to settle
down. I guess for us a dog meant settling down. And, as it turns out, we have done nothing of the sort.
After we finally made that decision we both knew adoption was the way we wanted to go. We made a trip to the local
Petsmart where an adoption event was going on and visited with several great dogs. We then left to take a drive and
think it over. There had been a couple of "dog dogs" that caught our eye. You know, if you close your eyes and
imagine a dog that is the picture you get. It's different for everyone. We decided it would be one of those two. We
returned to the adoption event to find that the dogs had begun to be put back in their crates in the cargo van to make
the trip back to the shelter. "We must adopt a dog today" we said, but the dog we had decided on was way in the back
of the van. This is where "Fate" enters the story. Right in the front, was a silly looking beagle mix named Jeffrey. We
looked at each other then at him and he at us, giving us that "What are you looking at!" sneer that became his
trademark look.
That is when "It" happened. Jeffrey became a part of our lives and he gave us something more precious than jewels
or gold or any amount of money. He gave us a piece of his heart.
And thus, a chain of events was set into motion that would change our life. From that point on everything that has
happened in our life can be tied to that day and to Jeffrey. Without Jeffrey "The Smug Mutt" would not exist and we
would not have made the decisions to adopt Parker, Daisy, Jaxxon, Thunder, Montana, or Lilli Bell. And, we would
never have met all the wonderful people we have met. Many of them we now consider treasured friends.
But, as none of us wants to admit, life is fleeting and really just an eye blink in the big picture. So fast forward
through 11 years of dirt, fur, destroyed furniture, tons of AWESOME craziness and great memories of big long car
rides and puppy parties and just general silliness.
It then became our turn to give Jeffrey what he gave us when he changed our life that day, a piece of our hearts.
Jeffrey left this world and our life and he did so with as much spirit and smugness as he had when we met him.
Ironically it was his heart that failed him. We wish we could give him back that piece of his heart that he gave us that
day so he could be strong again and run in circles around the house or get big doggie air catching a cheese ball and go
on another big long car ride, but we know he would not take it. He would probably grumble and say, "No, I'll just sit
here in the sunshine and enjoy the view". That is how loving and giving he was and will always be. Every time we are
sad we will think of him and that "Smug" sneer he always had on his face and our spirits will be lifted. He will always
be the original "Smug Mutt".
So learn something from Jeffrey, we have. Stop and sit in the sunshine every once in a while and enjoy the view.
Because life is short and time passes before you know it.
A much more elegant word smith than myself wrote something that inspires us so I will borrow it and share it with
you.
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every
new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the
components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
Jeffrey, we are the ones that know how truly lucky we are that you found us, and we know you are now in your
favorite place. Sitting in the sunshine enjoying the view and watching over us.
For us that "It" was deciding to adopt a dog back in 2003.
You see dogs have always held a special place in our hearts. But, up until that point, we were just not ready to settle
down. I guess for us a dog meant settling down. And, as it turns out, we have done nothing of the sort.
After we finally made that decision we both knew adoption was the way we wanted to go. We made a trip to the local
Petsmart where an adoption event was going on and visited with several great dogs. We then left to take a drive and
think it over. There had been a couple of "dog dogs" that caught our eye. You know, if you close your eyes and
imagine a dog that is the picture you get. It's different for everyone. We decided it would be one of those two. We
returned to the adoption event to find that the dogs had begun to be put back in their crates in the cargo van to make
the trip back to the shelter. "We must adopt a dog today" we said, but the dog we had decided on was way in the back
of the van. This is where "Fate" enters the story. Right in the front, was a silly looking beagle mix named Jeffrey. We
looked at each other then at him and he at us, giving us that "What are you looking at!" sneer that became his
trademark look.
That is when "It" happened. Jeffrey became a part of our lives and he gave us something more precious than jewels
or gold or any amount of money. He gave us a piece of his heart.
And thus, a chain of events was set into motion that would change our life. From that point on everything that has
happened in our life can be tied to that day and to Jeffrey. Without Jeffrey "The Smug Mutt" would not exist and we
would not have made the decisions to adopt Parker, Daisy, Jaxxon, Thunder, Montana, or Lilli Bell. And, we would
never have met all the wonderful people we have met. Many of them we now consider treasured friends.
But, as none of us wants to admit, life is fleeting and really just an eye blink in the big picture. So fast forward
through 11 years of dirt, fur, destroyed furniture, tons of AWESOME craziness and great memories of big long car
rides and puppy parties and just general silliness.
It then became our turn to give Jeffrey what he gave us when he changed our life that day, a piece of our hearts.
Jeffrey left this world and our life and he did so with as much spirit and smugness as he had when we met him.
Ironically it was his heart that failed him. We wish we could give him back that piece of his heart that he gave us that
day so he could be strong again and run in circles around the house or get big doggie air catching a cheese ball and go
on another big long car ride, but we know he would not take it. He would probably grumble and say, "No, I'll just sit
here in the sunshine and enjoy the view". That is how loving and giving he was and will always be. Every time we are
sad we will think of him and that "Smug" sneer he always had on his face and our spirits will be lifted. He will always
be the original "Smug Mutt".
So learn something from Jeffrey, we have. Stop and sit in the sunshine every once in a while and enjoy the view.
Because life is short and time passes before you know it.
A much more elegant word smith than myself wrote something that inspires us so I will borrow it and share it with
you.
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every
new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the
components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
Jeffrey, we are the ones that know how truly lucky we are that you found us, and we know you are now in your
favorite place. Sitting in the sunshine enjoying the view and watching over us.
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