Finally, A Forever Home…

Hi, my NEW name is “Sadie.” I used to have a name and a home but, even though I occasionally “speak,” I haven’t mastered words yet to speak about my past.

My new Mom heard the name, “Sadie,” in her head when she first saw my pictures. According to her research, “dogs named, ‘Sadie,’ are often kind and sweet dogs. Sadie’s are often intuitive and have penetrating eyes. When they look at you – you feel as though they know what you are thinking. People that meet dogs named, ‘Sadie,’ often say, ‘What a Sweet Dog.’ Origin: Hebrew. The meaning is: Princess. Spanish Meaning: Mercy.” I must say, ALL those words describe me:-) Here is my story as Mom knows it…

A couple named Emilyah and Chrisitian are traveling through South America on a motorcycle from Alaska. The rented a house on a farm outside of Cuenca, Ecuador and this beautiful dog showed up (that would be me!) in front of their door a couple times. The farm owner told them that my real owner used to stay at the house they were renting but they left me behind when they moved away two years ago. I wander around the area since then but often come back to the house, waiting for my family.

I’m a real lover – young, healthy, friendly and adorable. Emilyah and Chrisitian wanted to take me with them when they moved on (of course, who wouldn’t?). They contacted a pet carrier company to ask if I could fly back to Emilyah’s home in Thailand. However, since the trip would take at least 35 caged hours, they were afraid, and rightly so, it would be too much for me, even though Emilyah had friends who were willing to give her money for me to make the trip! So, they gave up and instead, tried to figure out how to help me find a forever home here.

When Emilyah and Chrisitian left the patio gate open at the farm open for me, I frequently showed up at the front door, looking for my family. Everytime I saw Emilyah and Chrisitian inside the house, I was beyond happy, got all excited and made noises to express joy, as I think they are my original family who came back for me.

The new owner of the farm has two big German Shepherds, and I think that they are one of reasons I can’t really hang out around the house most of the time because those two are quite aggressive toward me, chasing me around. Whenever they show up, I run away or just lay completely flat on the ground. Emilyah and Chrisitian stopped them from chasing me once but, this has happened a lot in the past.

Emilyah and Chrisitian sent out Facebook pleas on my behalf and ran an ad in GringoPost, a newslettter for US expats in Ecuador, looking for a new home for me. The day before they were scheduled to leave, my new Mom saw and responded to the ad. She already has five “little” canine kids, all rescues from Kansas City, MO USA. She considers them (and now, me:-) family and had to jump through a lot of hoops and spend a lot of money to get the “family” to Cuenca.

Emilyah and Chrisitian hired a cab and brought me to my new Mom yesterday. After several email exchanges and pictures yesterday and today, Emilyah wrote my Mom and said, “I fell asleep last night right after reading your email. Best sleep in two weeks. It’s been a real relief to know that Sadie is sleeping comfortably inside a loving house… We just finished packing and are about to leave the farm to Cuenca. I honestly can’t imagine how today would have been like if we had to leave her behind in the farm.”

So, since yesterday, I have:
– received a new, hot pink collar;
– met my five brothers and sisters (we are getting along famously);
– taken fish oil capsules, glucosamine chondroitin and pet vitamins stuffed inside cream cheese;
– eaten a little kibble with homemade chicken organ meat and vegetable dog food (mmmmm, good:-);
– played with my Boston Terrier brother who thinks he is in charge of me (yeh, right, but that’s a Boston Terrier for you!);
– chewed my first-ever rawhide stick and liked it; and
– took a walk on a lead to scope out my new neighborhood/barrio.
I’m also learning to respond to my new name. Tomorrow we go to the vet for a full check-up and shots. Not sure I am very excited about that…

Mom tried to get me on the bed with the rest of the crowd last night but, I’m used to sleeping alone in the wild. So, I stayed on the floor. I wag my tale A LOT, roll on my back for tummy love often, give sweet kisses and look at my new Mom with those beautiful blue eyes that melt her heart, or so she says. I hope I can stay here forever. So does my Mom…