I started looking at dogs about three days after Delta was no longer with us. Mark on the other hand could have lived without a dog. As the days got longer in number the more I missed having a dog. Last weekend Mark told me that he would like the kids to get a puppy for Christmas. What I heard was GREEN LIGHT, GO! Once those words left Mark's lips I was running at full speed.
We decided that a puppy on Christmas would be cool but not ideal. We wanted to adopt a puppy. Rescue is a first come, first serve situation. I started looking in hopes to find the perfect dog for us before Christmas. Most dogs in rescue are already full grown and a big dog mix. If you want a Lab or Pit Bull mix they are astronomical in number. It is sad how many dogs are up for adoption.
On Monday while searching petfinder.com I come across a Jack Russell puppy in Ft. Payne, Alabama. For my Florida friends that is about the distance from St. Pete to Orlando. It seemed so crazy to drive that far to rescue a puppy but she was so darn cute and a Jack Russell mix. She is 8 to 10 week old, small adult dog, cute, and $75! I emailed Mark a picture and then the plan started to come together. When I called the shelter I asked how much she weighed and the guy said to me, "just about nothing." That would equal 4 pounds in southern.
Tuesday we were going to go to the shelter without the kids but the weather was severe. I am not sure why we were not going to take them but by Wednesday the kids and Mark had off school/work so we decided to take them. The adoption center was closed Thursday and Friday because of of Thanksgiving. I didn't want to wait. We had to run an errand out of town in that direction so we told the kids to pick a movie and we had to get some things done. They were clueless.
We pulled up to the adoption center and Maddie said, "animal adoption?" That is when the questions started. All three kids at once. Mark told them, "Mommy wants to look as something here". We go in the shelter and the guy that works there tells us where to find the puppy room. We walk in and Alexandra points to her right away. I said to her, "The white dog?" She shook her head yes. Confirmation I picked the right dog. I said, "she is why we are here". We took her to the puppy room and talked about taking her home. Mark filled out the papers, payed and that my friends is just he beginning. She not only looks cute but her personality is just perfect. Furry sweetness!
First task name the dog. We went through every name under the sun. We wanted to go Christmas themed since she is an early gift but most names were just to make us all laugh. Cool Whip, Short Stack, Stella, Holly, Zeta, Chi, Dot, Dottie, Banshee and so many more made in on and off the whiteboard list. We tossed the names around for a couple of days and Mark was to be the final say if needed. Then we are putting up the Christmas tree listening to music. Mark said has anyone picked Dixie? I liked it, the kids liked it and then he told us why he thought Dixie. He heard Christmas in Dixie by Alabama. Here are the lyrics at the end of the song...
Chirstmas in Dixie, it's snowin' in the pines
Merry Christmas from Dixie, to everyone tonight
And from Fort Payne, Alabama
God bless y'all...We love ya...Happy New Year...Good night
Merry Christmas...Merry Christmas tonight
WHAT! From Fort Payne, Alabama. Why yes, yes she is! So Delta's successor is Dixie. It is Christmas themed name in a weird Alabama way.
She is adorable, outside and in. I couldn't have asked for a better story!
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