1,460 days (give or take a hour or two)

So, yesterday was a sad anniversary: the 3-year anniversary of the death of the last of my original pack, my mija Gracie.

Today, though, is the 3rd anniversary of these crazy vatos coming to live with me. I’d never, ever, bring another dog home (let alone two!) the day after one of my dogs had died, but it was extraordinary circumstance and unbelievable, Vegas-style luck that brought us all together.

It’s a long, sad story, but for those new to me, I’ll give you the short version: My original pack (excluding Stiggy, my truly OG smalldog and the love of my life) was made up of three lovely souls: Buzz, Gracie & Lola. All three of them died within a 12-month period during 2007-2008. In the space of 12 months–4380 days–my dogs died, one by one. That time period is a blur to me. Not counting the hours that I spent curled up in their beds, crying my eyes out, the year was a total waste.

Gracie, my mija, was the last to leave, on September 13, 2008. It was a Saturday. The next day, 9/14, Mr. Susan was to leave on a week-long business trip, and he was terrified of leaving me alone. Hell, I was terrified of being alone.

But after I woke up that Sunday, to a quiet house, to the sound of dogs not barking, to the feel of little dog feet not walking all over my body, I went straightaway to visit a dear friend of mine, Bonnie, who runs the rescue Hearts for Hounds. I knew that if there was one person who understood what a state I was in, it would be Bonnie.

She hugged me, I cried, she cried, and then I noticed Jack and I just nonchalantly asked about him. Bonnie whisked him up out of the pen and told me that he’d been a breeding dog in a puppy mill for 3 years and spent another three in the adoption “circuit,” meaning nobody wanted to keep him and he bounced from home to home. Just seconds after I asked about Jack, I heard a man behind me tell his wife that he wanted to get him.

Ok, back to the short story: Bonnie told me to take Jack home “for company,” and when I felt better, “bring him back.” I hadn’t planned on this at. all. I wasn’t ready for another dog, and I certainly wasn’t ready for a hard emotional case like Jack, but I acquiesced. Just as we were leaving, Bonnie piped in, “there’s his buddy, look!” I looked over and saw T, stretching on his tiny feet to see where his bff was going and wondering why he wasn’t going too.

They had been together for the 3 months prior to my taking them; living in a crate together in the back of a groomer’s. They were best friends, there was no way I could separate them.

At first, I didn’t like them. This had nothing to do with them, of course. It was just that they weren’t Buzz, or Gracie, or Lola. In fact, the only thing that kept them in my home for the first week or so was the fact that I just knew that if I returned them, they would be separated. There was no way on Earth I was going to let that happen to them. What little companionship and what little bond that they did find in their horrible lives was precious; I wasn’t going to let anyone break it.

Fast forward. Today is their 3rd anniversary of part of our family, and boy, is that an understatement. Both Mr. Susan & I adore them; just adore them. They have run of the house, they sleep on my head if they want to (and T actually does want to–every single night). Jack spoons me, T actually hugs me when we take a nap, or when he’s frightened. I cannot fathom my life without them, and I thank the universe everyday for bringing us together.

This does not diminish my loss of Gracie. On the contrary; my mija was old and she was broken-hearted. She left me with a gift; the gift of exactly the right moment to love, and be loved, by these two lost souls who have become such a part of my life and my being that when I travel I drive every single person around me insane with my worry.

Thank you, mija. You gave me so much love and so many wonderful memories, your last gift to me is one that I could never have given myself.

We took a few pictures today to commemorate The Dogs Who Nobody Wanted. Rather than pick my favorite, which is impossible when I’m feeling so sappy as I am today, I thought I’d upload the whole lot.

I know these two will leave me as well, but really? That’s not something we think about, it’s not something we talk about. If there’s one thing that Buzz, Lola & Gracie taught me (and they taught me a lot) it’s to live in the moment. And that’s exactly what we do.

Here are a few moments from our day. I hope you like them.