Introducing Mabel

 After Emma lost her brother, Oliver, she just wasn't perking up. Dogs, like humans, go through a grieving process after they lose someone important to them. I remember Oliver going through it after Ivan died, too. Emma was there with us when Oliver passed. I remember she was cuddling with him the whole time, but then after he passed, she gave him a lick and a nuzzle and then walked away. She knew. Her being there for closure was a big part of the reason we all wanted to have a vet come to us. With Ivan, we took him to the vet and I swear, Oliver looked for Ivan for weeks. I've always felt guilty that we didn't give Oliver that closure.

Always, after Oliver had been gone about two months, it was clear Emma was still in a state of depression. She was mopey, clingy, and had just lost some pep in her step. She became the most spoiled dog as we took her everywhere with us, but she still had a sadness about her. I wasn't ready to get another dog quite yet, but it wasn't about me: Emma needed a companion.

Blake took charge of the hunt for a friend because I still didn't have it in me to even consider getting another dog, even though I knew Emma needed it. He found a set of sisters who were rescued from unsafe living conditions. A litter of four puppies was born outside in Collinsville, Oklahoma. One of the four died after being struck by a car. To add insult to injury, the dogs were born during a week-long snow and ice storm that brought subzero temperatures for over a week! Poor things. All three caught our attention, but "Marzie" had such sad eyes and giant ears and immediately, I wanted to meet her. We actually referred to her as "the one who needs a hug!" when we talked about her and her sisters. I mean, come on. Look at that sad little face!

Drooling, sad little Marzie just needed a hug and some loving.

We were told she was going to the vet for a check up and a routine spay, then we could meet her and see if it was a good fit. The four of us (yes, Emma, too!) went to meet her and the first thing she did was crawl up into Liam's lap and curled up into a small ball. He stated, "Yup, she's the one!"

We went home with our new friend and she was sooo timid. She laid in her dog bed all day. We took her to the store to get her a collar and she wouldn't even walk. She was just hunched over like in her picture. We ended up having to carry her through the store with us.

The next morning, she was vibrant and happy! She was running around, exploring the house and came running whenever she heard us call for her. Emma, however, wasn't sure about her new housemate. Marzie, or Mabel, as we came to call her, kept trying to play, but Emma wasn't having it. She had no interest in playing and snubbed Mabel for 8 whole days. Finally, she started to return playful moves and they've been playing and wrestling ever since! Now they are the best of friends and they're a joy to watch play and cuddle. 

Mabel loves her humans!

Mabel also loves her sister!