Okay, well... she's not
that dirty (she had a bath on Sunday) and she's not
that little (almost 40 pounds!), so I guess she's our clean, medium-sized secret...
Meet Rita, or Bunny, or BunnyRita. We're not entirely sure what her name is yet, but I think it's Rita (short for Rosarita, the beach she was found on). Although her nickname is Bunny (because she runs like a jack rabbit, plus it was Kathryn Hepburn's librarian character's name in
Desk Set, plus bunnies and bunny ears, especially, are kind of a running thing on Tripawds... I wanted her real name to just be Bunny, but I don't think Mike can picture himself standing there at Fiesta Island yelling, "Bunny!" It's not muy macho.)
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| I think she likes it here. |
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| She likes Fiesta Island too! |
Yes, it is crazy-soon to have a new puppy. And we totally did NOT
intend to bring a new dog home yet - but... here's what happened. The
Saturday after we lost Abby, we were sitting outside watching the
sunset. The ocean was the calmest I've ever seen it since we moved here -
like a glassy lake as far as the eye could see toward the horizon. Mike
asked Abby and Bailey (our previous pup for those of you that don't
know) to send us a sign that they'd met up and were together. Well, I
was sitting there with my iPad, and I went on PetFinder - seriously I
don't know why because we really really really didn't intend to get a
new dog for a while - and I typed "female beagle" in the search with
our zip code, and "Peaches" (as she was known) pops up on the first page
of results. We couldn't stop looking at her! She looked so much like a
combination of Bailey and Abby! She has Bailey's body, with Abby's ears
and eyes (even a bit of the same eyeliner look like Abby had). If Bailey
and Abby had a puppy (through immaculate conception or
in vitro or whatever, since they were both girls...) the result would be this little girl.
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| In fact, she likes F.I. a lot! |
The next few days we couldn't stop looking at her picture. I thought
Mike would be the voice of reason, but no. He told me to fill out the
online application. We did and were able to go meet her this past
Saturday, Jan. 21. We brought her home and she's been pretty much a
model pup ever since - doesn't jump up, barely barks, sleeps in Abby's bed like a good girl until we are ready to get up. She's just super sweet!
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| BunnyRita! |
So, here's the deal. She's a beagle-shepherd mix (obviously); she's
estimated to be 7 or 8 months old. We got her from the Baja Animal
Sanctuary (technically she's not ours yet... They have to come do a home
inspection on Feb 4. I'm fairly certain we'll pass...). I can't believe she was at the shelter 2 months, because she's so darn cute. I think she was waiting for us...
She's so funny as well -
we thought it would be nice to have a chowhound again (what with the
beagle in her) after Abby and her fussy supermodel picky-eater ways, but
no... She's not a real chowhound either. She's not as picky as Abby
was, but she doesn't exactly wolf down her food, and she turns her nose
up at lots of things, like popcorn! Even Abby liked popcorn! Also, Bailey had no back dewclaws, Abby had both of hers - well, Rita has
one back dew claw. I think she really is a mix of our two girls.
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| She met Ab's best friend, Dakota... |
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| They already love each other! BFFs! |
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| (This does look like love, right?) |
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| Today, right after leaving Dakota's... |
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| (And this too? Pretty certain that's love!) |
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Our hearts are still in a thousand jigsaw puzzle pieces from losing Abby, but I think this little girl will help start fitting the pieces back together.
She is pretty dang cute! Glad she and Dakota love each other (although the one shot looks more like chewing on Dakota's head rather than love.)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the family, Bunny Rita. So glad you found your way to the place where you belong.
ReplyDelete-rumblesmom
BunnyRita does look very cute and sweet. We can't wait to meet her. Might not be a good idea to show that bunny ears picture to the adoption folks until you've passed inspection. She doesn't look happy, and as you know, at our house doggie costumes are considered animal cruelty!
ReplyDeleteT, J & Lou
Oh-My heart is beating pittery-pat! I think I'm in Wuv! What a hot bunny!
ReplyDeleteSamson007
(You have some pretty big dog boots to fill but I am sure you will do Abby proud!)
Jackie, I recently helped Dakota write a blog post about belonging and meaning and purpose, and you've just walked my talk. I think. If that makes sense. I think dogs might spend time at the Rainbow Bridge before they come here, and they are waiting for the right moment and the right person. I think Ribunny (accent on the first syllable) might have been waiting because she knew she'd be needed. However it happened, I'm glad it did.
ReplyDeleteShari
I'm sure that Abby's happy watching u happy. She will never want to see u und ur husband cry about her, and i'm also sure that she wanted you to give more love to another puppy!
ReplyDeleteMake this new girl happy as Abby was! :D
Congratulations!!! I definitely think that Abby and Bailey got together and sent you this beautiful 40 pound penny! BunnyRita is adorable!!!
ReplyDeleteEllen :)
Jackie & Mike, congratulations! Rita/Bunny sure looks cute!! Bernie has told me (okay, actually John) that he wants to come back to Fiesta Island to play with her! We are so happy for you! She is going to be one lucky girl being loved by you two!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, what a cutie! I'm positive that Baily and Abby had a hand in this one. In my world, Rita would be short for Margarita (you might want to consider that and leave the whole "bunny" thing alone.) Just kidding, I mean, she has FOUR legs, so it's appropriate ;)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm so happy for you! Spirit Sadie sent Ranger to me not long after she went on to doggie heaven. I think that you made a wonderful decision and that she will help you bring those broken pieces of your heart back together.
Lisa
She is so cute. Leo wonders if she will like him. Does she like being drooled on?
ReplyDeleteD
Oh my dog! She is sooooo cute! She is definitely a mix of your two girls and I am PAWSITIVE they sent her to you! I love the pics of her playing with Dakota- in my mind, I substituted Finchy for Dakota, even though they have never met, Id like to think Finchy would be the same way with her. Your blog made me smile this morning, so thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteMBBunnyVP
ReplyDelete♥'s
MBBunnyRita
MBBunnyVP
ReplyDelete♥'s
MBBunnyRita
MBBunnyVP
ReplyDelete♥'s
MBBunnyRita
She is so adorable! I can see Abby in her. I sooo think you finding her was a sign!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!!! I wonder if BunnyRita has figured out yet just how good she has it with you guys
=)
Nancy & Butchey (and MB Lola)
Originally, I didn't read "Your Dirty Little Secret" because I thought it might be sad. This is wonderful!
ReplyDelete