Yes, we did adopt a new friend!

I had thought it was too soon after losing Stella — that maybe I needed to take some time to figure out who I am without a dog. But in these past few months, what I’ve figured out is that I’m a person who finds great joy in sharing my life with a dog. I’m a better me all around when I can be the best person to my dog.

And this dog — oh, this dog is magnificent.

She’s only six or seven months old. 25lbs and not likely to get that much bigger. The best guess is she’s an Australian Cattle Dog/Jack Russell mix, and that certainly tracks with her markings and behaviors. She’s goofy and attentive and loves to explore. She’s extremely eager to learn and we’re having a lot of fun teaching her. She loves super long walks and everyone we meet.

Our new friend spent a month at a shelter before @underdoganimalrescueca found her and got her into a loving foster home. We’re endlessly thankful to them for saving her and for choosing us to be her family. There are a few scratches on her face from her shelter days that are starting to heal and it will be interesting to see what those freckles will look like on that part of her nose when her fur grows back. Her foster mom gave her such good love and care and shared a lot of insight into what this sweet girl needs to be happy.

We’re excited to give her a full and happy life. She’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. Whatever she’s been through did not put a damper on her exuberance — she’s like a little ray of light. She doesn’t seem to answer to her shelter name, so we’re still looking for a name with sounds that make those great big ears perk up. (Well, relatively big. She’s tiny!) We’re thrilled she’s part of our family now. We’re going to have the best time working through all this puppy energy, and being her best friends forever.