Until now. As of our anniversary, we are now a proud family of a little puppy named Pearl. And as orchestrated asPearl's story sounds, it really did all come together without the scheming of my dog-lover heart.
One summer day we met Tony for lunch. While we were out, we ran a few errands. I had a giftcard to Simply Southern that I wanted to use. I bargained with Cam and Maeve that if they would let me peacefully shop in that store then we could go down to Petland when I was done. Petland is a big treat for them. In fact, I cannot recall ever taking them in there myself. They have been with a grandparent because grandparents do that sort of thing. It usually pulls on my heart strings too much for me to go there. But in we went after I had satisfyingly found a new trendy shirt for myself.
Low and behold, the tiniest dachshund puppy was in there waiting for us to come catch a glimpse of him. I didn't point him out to them, but they were drawn to his long-ness I suppose. A long dog is what they have had their whole lives. I tried to distract them from the dog area by pointing out ferrets and birds and even mice; but there they stood glued to the glass in front of that tiny pup. Nothing would do. We had to get him out and pet him in one of their little family holding cells. Cam asked, "Mom, if this dog is $5 can we get him?" I informed him that there was no way the dog would be only $5, but we would ask about the price and that no matter what it was, we couldn't just buy the dog today. Getting a dog is a big decision and it requires the whole family being on board. I was estimating the price of the pup to range between $300 and $600. Boy was I off- the worker informed us that this puppy was 9 weeks old and was $1399!!!! I had no idea of the inflation costs of puppies. For one thing I had never purchased a puppy. My Butch was from Santa in 1984, and CoCo was a less fortunate whose first family was giving him away in 2001.
I picked my jaw up off the floor and I informed the girl that we were ready for her to put the pricey pup back in his kennel. (Heaven forbid we hurt this thing- it had all of the sudden turned in to me letting my children play with expensive pieces in a China or Chrystal shop! Put this pup up before we have to pay for it!) We left disheartened that we weren't bringing home something to help fill up all the empty spaces in our home. I told them that we would get a puppy one day, but this one was too expensive. Besides, we couldn't get it and then leave for vacation a week later. It just wasn't the right time.
I wasn't prepared for what Cam and Maeve did upon arriving back at home. They rushed upstairs and began to pool all their money - from their wallets and piggy banks. It was about an hour process of hearing them interact. Cam was counting all the money for them while Maeve was busy assisting. She got him whatever he needed- pencil, paper, a bag, etc. They finally came downstairs with all their earthly belongings counted and combined. They had $262.34. A bit short of the cost of the puppy. But Maeve had a plan of how they could add to their collection. She said they could sell lemonade and Moo could help them make it because she made the best lemonade. It took all I had in me not to call Petland and tell them to hold that puppy for us. It is so hard not to give your children the desires of their heart. They were truly head over heels with this puppy and were willing to sacrifice all they had to have it for their own.
When Tony got home, I filled him in on our afternoon adventures and promised him that I had no preconceived intentions when I took them there. He could see that his family had fallen fast and that getting a puppy for us was inevitable. He too was shocked at the price tag of a dog. We had obviously not shopped for a puppy, ever, and had no idea of their price range.
Back in early May, my friend and coworker had asked me if I was ready for a puppy. She knew of someone who was giving away free puppies. At the time we calculated the time when those puppies would be ready and it was just about the time we would be heading out for our annual Amelia Island trip. So that was excuse #1 for me to back peddle and resist the urge to commit to one of these free puppies in need. We couldn't possiby get one and then leave home. My friend was relentless. She even offered to puppy sit while we were away if I would go ahead and confirm my desire for one of the girls in this litter. She, an animal extraordinaire and former dachshund owner, knew how much our family needed one of these sweet ones after our tremendous loss. I actually had not thought too much about this offer other than when my friend sent me adorable puppy pictures and now again when I realized what a tremendous deal I was passing up!
So, like the thrifty teacher I am who will go to any means necessary to give her children what they want and swoop in on what was now the deal of the summer, I sent my friend a message. I asked her if she knew if the free puppy offer was still available. I thought it was a long shot, but I just had to know before my children spent the rest of their summer earning money to fund their puppypalooza infatuation. My friend was out of town but promised she would find out the current status of the free puppies and be in touch.
By Sunday, I was antsy but still no clarification on the puppy status. Monday, June 16th, which also happens to be our wedding anniversary, I was out doing a little birthday shopping and make-up delivering. I got the call from my friend while in a Christian bookstore (coincidence- I think not)! She sent me a message with two pictures of two dachshund puppies. The first picture was of the back of a dapple dachshund which I coined the polka-dotted puppy. Then she sent me a picture of a sweet face of a Black and Tan, long-haired girl, whom I lovingly termed Pearl- PolkaDot and Pearl. I thought it was a good fit for the sister duo. As I am marveling over the pictures, my friend asks, "Which one?" As in'"Which one do you want?" Eeek! Could it be possible? Can this unbelievable deal still be available? I haven't cleared it with Tony! We leave for the beach on Saturday! In a moment of boldness that rarely comes to me coupled with a natural weakness to a black dachshund face, I texted her back, "I like the black one." A couple of minutes later, my phone rang. It was my friend. "She's in my car," she calmly stated like she was driving the getaway car of a bank robbing sting! 
My heart leaped out of my chest! Had I really just agreed to adopt a puppy without the backing and blessing from my whole family like I had lectured Cam that we would have to do? The words I said to him echoed in my head, "Getting a puppy is a big responsibility; one that the whole family has to be involved in." I guess I ate those words. I shreiked in happiness, excitement, and panic with my friend. I told her our anniversary plans were to see a movie and have dinner as a family of four. If I got the ok from Tony, we would be by the pick up our anniversary surprise after that!
Gulp. Now I had to break the news to Tony. Well, of all days, he couldn't be upset with me on our anniversary (Coincidence- I think not)! The owner of the store had overheard my conversation. She agreed with me that this was the perfect day to adopt a puppy after I filled her in on the details. I casually came in and announced to him, away from the earshot of the children that I had found my anniversary present. He looked puzzled but then I showed him the picture of Pearl. He grinned and grimaced all at the same time. I filled him in on what had taken place then reminded him of the price tag on this pup- $FREE!!!! That coupled with the special date got him. Hook. Line and sinker. He never said yes but he never said no. Him driving us to my friend's house to pick up our surprise anniversary present will be looked back upon as one of the moments I loved him most!
When we drove up in her yard, she and her daughter were waiting with our puppy whom they had been taking care of all day. Cam and Maeve didn't quite respond the way I expected them too. They were more stunned than excited to see the puppy that I referred to as ours. They couldn't believe that we had surprised them with her. They also couldn't believe that she was free and they didn't have to fork over their pooled life's savings!
As we drove away with our puppy present, we discussed names. My friend had been calling her Pearl all day and said that she was sure she was responding to it already. No one else could think of a better suited name, so we rode away with our Pearl Girl and were just in awe at her tiny-ness, her puppy-ness, and the fact that she was ours. I looked up the meaning of the name Pearl, and it definitely fit- "precious thing." She was a precious childhood wish. A precious present that we will cherish each anniversary. A precious healing ointment to help all of us completely heal from the loss of our old, tried and true CoCo. Our Precious Puppy Pearl.
