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Loading...My Dog is Everything I Never Wanted!
- a Care2 favorite by Lisa Spector
- 215 comments
My Black Lab, Gina, is celebrating her 4th birthday today. She is the second of my two Labs. When first searching for a second dog, I knew I didn’t want another Lab. I obviously love Labs, but wanted a smaller dog that would fit into my car and my life.
I didn’t want a black dog. Sanchez sheds A LOT, but at least his fur is blond so it doesn’t show everywhere. Black hair all over the house is…. well, not my preference.
I was certain I didn’t want another career change dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind. They are remarkable dogs, but generally don’t have enough drive to be great agility dogs.
Um… have you noticed?
Gina is a LAB.
Gina is BLACK.
Georgina (her guide dog name) is a former puppy in training from Guide Dogs who was “career changed” at a year of age. (However, she has so much drive that I was able to adopt her because of my eagerness to do agility with her.)
While she is everything I never wanted, life has caused me to realize that she’s everything I ever wanted. Gina is the absolute perfect second dog for me. Her personality couldn’t be more more opposite from Sanchez. She wakes up in the morning and thinks, “Ah, what can I do for her today?” Sanchez wakes up in the morning and thinks, “Ah, what can she do for me today?” Their contrast is a refreshing change and I continue to learn from both of them daily.
Since adopting her, I’ve realized that the best things in life happen this same way. We think we know what we want, but life frequently brings us something different that we couldn’t have imagined, and it’s even better. And, I hadn’t realized that Labs could be full grown at only 44 pounds and they don’t all shed (well at least not much).
Did the perfect pet ever come into your life that at first appeared to be everything you never wanted? Thanks for adding your comment below.
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Editor’s Note: This post has been updated from an earlier version that ran on July 6, 2012.
Read more: Behavior & Communication, Dogs, Humor & Inspiration, Pets, Dog Agility, dog birthdays, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Labradors, Lisa Spector, through a dog's ear
Lisa Spector
Lisa Spector is a concert pianist, Juilliard graduate, and canine music expert. She is Co-founder of Through a Dog's Ear, the first music clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system. Their new Canine Noise Phobia series is a breakthrough treatment and prevention program for canine noise sensitivities. Lisa shares her home and her heart with her two "career change" Labrador Retrievers from Guide Dogs for the Blind, Sanchez and Gina. Follow Lisa's blog here.
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I was pinning away for such type of blogs, thanks for posting this for us.
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+ add your ownIt often happens that we don't get what we want ... but in hindsight we got just what we need. Funny how that works ...
L'animal de compagnie est le meilleur ami que tout humain peut avoir dans sa vie. Les gens qui n'ont jamais eu d'animaux peuvent difficilement comprendre ce propos. C'est définitivment l'ami le plus fidèle qu'il nous sera donné de rencontrer pendant notre vie. Comme on dit : c'est un ami pour la vie !
Elvira, I wish I could take credit for that saying but I can't. I just love that saying so much that I use it from time to time.....it is so true!
Apparently, my guardian angel sends me the animals that need a home when I need to give another one a home. About the time I think this guardian angel has too much faith in me, it becomes clear why the latest fur child has found its way to my house and heart.
So true....you can never plan the perfect pet...it just happens.
Have a house full of companions that never thought we would want. Hyper Shepard/Huskie mix (previously had a very mellow lab) who talks, digs and reminds us everyday that life is never dull. 2 ferrets that get into everything, but are so lovable and keep us on our toes.
3 cats, all with very different in personalities and needs and last 2 mice rescued from high school lab. They were all unwanted by someone at some point, but teach us every day that in spite of their differences, we can all learn to co-exist rather peacefully. Wouldn't know what to do without our "FULL HOUSE".
Katherine W. I love what you wrote about the pieces of heart!
I already have quite a few pieces made up of cats, dogs. and birds...
Wow. Animals are angels who come, to fill our lives with joy.
I have always felt that they choose us and not the other way around. I could not imagine life without pets and feel sorry for those who shun having pets, they don't know what they're missing. I also feel sorry for those who choose not to adopt after they've had to experience euthanasia because the pain is too great. Yes, having to make that horrid decision is very difficult and heartbreaking but bringing another pet into your life helps your heart to heal, IMHO.
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog or cat they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog or cat 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 or cat, and I will become as generous and loving as they are"
Sometimes life's blessings come in disguise. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of your heart with us today.
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