On March 2, 2013, we completed an application to adopt Ray. We had not totally decided on him, but wanted to ensure that we would get “first refusal” should any other requests be submitted for him. We were still evaluating him and, probably more importantly, were evaluating ourselves knowing that there were concerns being expressed by a shelter trainer about our suitability.
The concern was specifically my experience, as a young teen, of being bitten by a German Shepherd, together with the fact that I had never lived with a dog before. While Ray was considered ready for adoption, he was predicted to be quite challenging while he adjusted to family life.
On this day, five years ago, I was still visiting Ray on a daily basis in order to try and determine whether we could live together.
A New Direction Perhaps? 
Wow, hard to believe it was that long ago, let alone how could you get along without him now? 😉
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Well it was that long ago Monika, and he is such an integral part of our lives that …. I don’t know!
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Wow! Hard to believe it has been 5 years. And thank you for sharing with us the through word and pictures the impact Ray has made on you and Carol, and the support you have received from your town.
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Hi Maria – It has been a real pleasure sharing the saga of Ray with everybody! 🙂
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Happy Anniversary to all of you! This is a beautiful “Once upon a time” story that has a very happy ending. Thank-you for sharing.
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Given all the “doom and gloom” that media inundates us with, it is my pleasure to share good news stories! 🙂
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My adopted English Pointer, Daisy, went home with me ‘on appro’ (on approval) in 2003. The on appro period lasted about 12 hours and we were together for over 10 years…I love adoption stories.
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That is why I wrote “Who Said I was up for Adoption?” It was such an amazing experience for so many reasons, that I wanted to share my story! 🙂
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I love happy endings!
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Me too! It is so rewarding to look back at Ray’s “then and now” circumstances, and to see him so happy with his life here. 🙂
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I love that you still have the screenshot from Ray at the shelter – I just recently found the paperwork from when I got Choppy. I should take a note from you and publish it to my blog!
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It’s all good nostalgia stuff … especially when you can see how much they changed.
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Or, in Choppy’s case, how little she has in some cases. The person who had her before me called her “very clingy” – I’m pretty sure most people would describe her as such still.
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🙂
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Wonderful. Happy Anniversary to you all. Treat and hugs by proxy of course.
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Thank you Di. Proxy treats and hugs are on the agenda! 🙂
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Yay.
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🙂
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Happy Anniversary! I look at Ray’s picture in this post and can’t get over how much he has changed in 5 years. He’s a beautiful dog and because of a decision you made, you 2 now have a beautiful, heartwarming friendship!
What better confirmation could there be in knowing you made a wonderful decision! 🙂
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A life changing decision at that. Sadly, our shelters are constantly full of animals who just want a loving home to go to. I can understand those Blog Followers who are operating rescue/re-homing services. Good for them! 🙂
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Happy Anniversary! Ray deserves an extra treat today. You too! Kudos to the shelter for having reservations about you. Clearly Ray’s well-being was their first priority. Little did they know that Ray had already found his forever family. Wishing you many more happy, healthy years together.
•••Ginger••-
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Thanks Ginger! Short of divine intervention, we’ll both be around for a few years yet! 🙂
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Oh! I hope for way more than a few years! Divine intervention aside, I’d be more concerned if you were to see an emerald blue alien lurking around. Anything that color has to be up to no good!! Lol.
•••Ginger•••
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Agreed. If I saw an Emerald Blue anything I would be concerned, unless of course it was on the Nuggets of Gold Blog. Literally anything is possible there! 🙂
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I bet the 5 years have just flown by! 🙂
It was worth taking the time to be sure of each other, so Ray could go to his forever home. 🙂
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It really is amazing how fast those 5 years went by! Given his separation anxiety issues, Carol and I have not had much of a life without him. In fact our “dinner dates” still have to wait until the Summer so that the outdoor patios are open! Would I change anything? Absolutely not, but I think you already knew that would be the answer! 🙂
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Yes – a small price to pay for all Ray has given you 🙂
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Totally agree. 🙂
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Happy anniversary! You and Ray have been on quite a journey together over the last few years. We always celebrate the day we adopted our rescue cat too. 😊
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… and so you should! Not only have you set an example of compassion and understanding for a creature in unfortunate circumstances, but both you and the new family member benefit from it. In business terms, that adoption successfully concluded in a “Win-Win” situation. Perfect (or Purrrfect)! 🙂
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Couldn’t agree more, it’s easily one of the best decisions we’ve made.
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🙂
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