Meet Tippet.
Last weekend I saw a post from Tammy, who fostered Sadie that Brandi adopted back in September of 2015. She was now fostering a puppy named Ace for Central Indiana Lab Rescue and Adoption. I told myself to just scroll on, but against my better judgement, I looked through the photos and my heart stopped dead. There was a picture of the pup looking right into the camera, just like Finn did. I swear it was like my old buddy was nudging me from the other side of that rainbow bridge.
I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready as I sat there and filled out the adoption meet and greet paperwork. I figured that a puppy would get scooped up quick and I wouldn’t have a chance so there was no issue just filling out the paperwork. Then came Sunday night and I was test driving the old diesel after wrenching on it all day. I saw an email come in. The title said, “CILRA Adoption Application”. I scanned the body of the message and I was approved. I still thought, no chance so no worries.
I didn’t want to get my hopes up but after two months of deafening silence in my life after so many years of love by a chocolate bear, I was lonely and I knew it.
Brandi sent Tammy a message on facebook and the next thing I knew it was Wednesday evening and this little puppy was put into my arms. I set him down and he’s not left my side since, in fact he’s currently sleeping on the dog bed in my office. A few minutes ago he had the crazy puppy zoomies and was trying to play with Darlene. She just looks at him like I look at a pesky mosquito. She also looks at us like, “what the hell have you brought into this house?”
Tippet isn’t a pure lab like Finn was. He’s a border collie and lab mix, which means he’s a “borador”. You can read about the mix here: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/border-collie-lab-mix/
He’s already proven that he received the border collie smarts and the lab kindness. I was shocked when I taught him “down” during our meet and greet. He’s also been my shadow since he came here. If I move, he moves.
After 12 years, I forgot what having a puppy is like and I’m not used to standing in the yard at 3am while Tippet decides if he wants to pee or not, but I haven’t smiled this much in a long time. I feel like the piece of my heart that was broken when Finn left for the next great adventure is slowly mending every time I look at this little dude sleeping on my floor.
He’s got some huge shoes to fill and I’ve got my work cut out for me. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our adventures together.
