HomeWe had a Dalmatian named Ciera since she was 9 weeks old. She passed at age 14. She was the very best friend I’d ever had!! The last 8 months of her life were quickly going downhill. I knew that it would take a very special dog to come into our home after Ciera. And that special dog was not going to be easy to find. I also knew that my heart would be very broken when Ciera was gone. So I began casually looking on line at the shelters in my area, and on Petfinder.com.
Peta in Tom's truck
I was actually looking for a Great Dane. In my search for a Great Dane, I found a Great Dane/Anatolian mix – male – I wanted a female. But I knew right away that this dog had a purpose in my life. In talking to his foster parents, they encouraged me to educate myself on the Anatolian Breed as they were unique. The more my husband and I learned about the breed and the more we talked to people, we just knew this was the breed for us. The Anatolian is naturally everything we wanted in a dog. So I changed my search from Great Dane to Anatolian Shepherd.
We still had another issue in finding a new dog – 2 years ago when my daughter was 2 years old she was severely bitten in the face by my brother’s dog. We spent several days in Children’s hospital while the surgeons reconstructed her eye lids and tear ducts and repaired the hole in her chin and mouth. This was very scary!
So we needed a dog that would be not just good, but excellent with our kids – one we could trust around our kids.
I found Peta one day on Petfinder, and the expression on her face was the same expression my Dalmatian made. I told my husband about her and he said, “Have you lost your mind? You want me to take a week off work and go all the way to Texas to get a DOG!?” I researched how far it was to Bastrop, Texas and how much time and money it would cost to get there and immediately knew there was no way we could do it – it was just too much time and too much money.
Then we lost our Ciera, and the sadness just consumed me, I knew it was going to hurt but I had no idea it would hurt this much!! As time passed, I realized that any time in my life I hurt this much she was right there enduring the whole thing with me – I didn’t know how to hurt this much without her!!
So my search for a new dog went into overdrive! I knew I couldn’t replace Ciera but I needed the hope of a new furry best friend, and a new beginning. Our house was just too empty! I kept coming back to Peta in Texas! Finally I called Rosie, not knowing exactly what I wanted her to say, just that I had to call. Rosie told me wonderful stories about Peta and Children in the shelter and from her previous owner. Peta was actually given up because she wouldn’t work; she wanted to be with the kids!! I was so excited!! This was our dog, I just knew it!
Peta on her way to her new home
Now, how do we get her home from Texas? Desperate, I posted my situation on Craig’s List in Pittsburgh, asking if anyone knew of ANYTHING that could help. The response I received was overwhelming! I received so many emails from wonderful caring people offering suggestions, sympathy for my loss, love, prayers, and just kind words. Some even offered to drive up to 4 hours for me to get her! Among those was an email suggesting that I contact Cheryl at GetMeTherePlease, who was already in Texas. I emailed Cheryl, and she pretty much took care of the rest! Things just moved so quickly and easily, with the help of Cheryl, and Rosie, and the wonderful volunteers, Peta was home within 2 weeks!!
As each of the volunteers transported Peta, I received the emails of how much everyone loved her, and how sweet she was. I got more and more excited!
Peta with her new family
Peta is here and she is everything I thought she would be and more! She is so very good with my children, ages 19 months, 4 years, and 15 years – we trusted her almost instantly. She has fit into our home and our lives perfectly. All of my family, who thought I was crazy for bringing a dog from Texas, instantly knew it was worth it once they met Peta!
All of the wonderful people who helped Peta come home did so much more then rescue a dog – they brought life and love back into my home and my family. And judging from the sparkle in Peta’s eye when she looks at us, they brought life and love back into Peta’s heart too.
I started out looking for something I wanted, and found what I NEEDED! It never ceases to amaze me how God works in our lives when we keep our heart and mind open to things other than what we think we want or need! And how he puts wonderful people in our lives too – just when we need them!
We couldn’t be happier with Peta, and we couldn’t be more grateful to all the people who helped us – people I have never met and probably will never meet – they have truly touched our lives forever!
We are truly Blessed!
